A lifeguard exists in a place between maintaining a watchful eye on all things calm and safe, while still having the ability to respond to an emergency. While some may view being a lifeguard as just another summer job, for many, becoming a lifeguard is much deeper than that; it is a calling, a desire, and a need to protect and to serve as a first responder to the many dangers that exist in a day filled with fun in the sun and water.
If you identify with this desire and call, then the most important issue you should address is not where you might find gainful employment as a lifeguard, but rather how you can be properly prepared to serve in that capacity.
As a lifeguard where every second matters, where is there an entity that provides not only the minimum education necessary, but also a truly transformative education? To many, the answer to that question is the American Lifeguard Association, an institution with high standards for many lifeguards across the country.
Why Does the Quality of Lifeguard Instruction Matter So Profoundly?
The lifeguard’s world is filled with extreme situations—a non-responsive kid. A drowning person in a current is almost ready to be drawn out. A spinal cord problem in the OT area. It is an accident that happens very close. It is entirely instinctive, having undergone many years of training. There is no room for mistakes, so selecting the right lifeguard training course for you is not simply a matter of getting a certificate; rather, it has a long-term impact on your skills and self-assurance throughout your career as a lifeguard.
A badly-lighted lifeguard only receives a certificate, while a certified and seasoned lifeguard saves lives. Top-notch training constantly via practice and repetition creates new neural connections, increases situational awareness through the handling of realistic situations, and fosters a leadership mentality that allows an efficient response to the emergency situation.
This is why discerning candidates search for programs that have a long-standing reputation for providing the best lifeguard training.
What Specifically Defines the American Lifeguard Association’s Approach to Certification?
The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is a leader in the development of an extensive, practical lifeguard curriculum which does not only focuses on technical compliance, but also produces qualified aquatic safety professionals. As a result, those who are looking to become nationally-certified lifeguards by ALA process will experience a true transformation!
The ALA process starts with rigorous prerequisites for all participants; therefore, every student will enter the course with a certain level of swimming ability and physical fitness. The core ALA program blends traditional classroom instruction with online learning modules and hands-on water skills practice. Candidates utilize the online learning modules to learn important concepts pertaining to physiology, accident prevention and procedure at their own pace, and then they apply this knowledge to practice during their scheduled in-water skills sessions, where there is no time for lecture, but ample time for practice!
All students are trained in required rescue techniques by ALA-certified instructors, many of whom are active first responders or aquatic supervisors. They perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on manikins with real-world feedback, manage intricate multiple-victim situations, and carry out precise extrications on potential spinal injury sufferers. In its commitment to teaching candidates how to identify, rank, and act with accuracy during high-stress situations, the ALA places great emphasis on decision-making under pressure. The systematic, scenario-oriented method of training distinguishes a credential from a qualification.
How Does This Training Translate into Real-World Readiness and Career Advancement?
The effectiveness of a training program is ultimately measured by the success of its graduates in their jobs. Resumes submitted by ALA-certified lifeguards consistently receive high praise for their professionalism, proactive surveillance skills, and their ability to remain calm and in control during stressful situations.
The ALA certification allows Lifeguards to seek employment in many different types of venues. These include large and very active community pools, private clubs, and open-water gatherings (like beaches) where safety is “a must” and large water park resorts where providing an environment of fun is paramount to that enjoyment.
In addition, the ALA recognizes that Lifeguarding holds the promise of being a career progression for many. Therefore, it has developed other speciality certifications that build on the basic Lifeguard certification. This is designed to allow individuals to advance their careers. Examples include Waterfront Lifeguard, Shallow Water Attendant and Instructor certifications, which allow experienced Lifeguards to help shape the future of the lifeguarding community.
The ALA’s development of Leadership and Emergency Management skills during its training will also be utilized greatly in many future careers, such as Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter, or Public Safety. These “transferable skills” provide significant training toward future careers where a commitment to public service is required.
What Is the First Step to Begin This Essential Journey?
The first step in answering the call to serve is to confidently choose to attain the highest level of education available to you. When you choose the American Lifeguard Association, you are making a lifelong commitment to yourself as well as to the many who will rely on your dedication and skills in the future. You are actually choosing to represent the profession of a lifeguard, not only by wearing the badge, but also by living up to the responsibility and knowledge that it represents.
The American Lifeguard Association has come up with a simple procedure for serious candidates who want to work as lifeguards. Any person who is interested in being a lifeguard with the ALA will have no trouble accessing the course information, the requirements, and the scheduling. Training programs of the ALA can be reviewed by the potential lifeguards to have an idea of what is being taught and the layout of the program.
When the potential lifeguard is ready to take the next step from reviewing to registering for a training class with the ALA, the process is very straightforward. If the potential lifeguard is qualified to join the certification program and wishes to take advantage of this fulfilling opportunity, they can register by clicking here.
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