With the official start to the 2015 lifeguard season just around the corner, over 1,300 RNLI lifeguards are being recruited and put through their paces to make sure they’re ready to fulfil their demanding role. They will be patrolling over 220 beaches this Summer, and lives will be in their hands – so what does their training involve?

Returning for her second season as a lifeguard at Viking Bay in Thanet is teenager Lucy Kear, 17, who lives in Ramsgate. ‘I’ve been swimming since I was a young girl and love the beach scene and anything to do with water, so it’s a natural progression to become an RNLI lifeguard,’ says Lucy, who is also studying for her A Levels when not in the water. ‘I’m team captain at my local swimming club, work weekends as a pool lifeguard and am a member of Broadstairs Surf Life Saving Club too!’

There are over a thousand lifeguards like Lucy who love the water. But being keen isn’t enough. There’s a set of qualities and an aptitude that the RNLI looks for in all lifeguards, including confidence, the ability to work in a team or on your own, fast reactions and a cool head. James Uren, Thanet Lifeguard Supervisor, says: ‘Around 75% of our lifeguards return each season so we need to recruit 25% new lifeguards each year. When Lucy applied last year, her qualities and aptitude fitted the bill completely – and she has a valid, internationally recognised surf lifesaving qualification, which is essential.’

Well on course
In the UK, beach lifeguard courses are run by Surf Life Saving GB, Surf Life Saving Association Wales, and Royal Life Saving Society UK, although, if there’s a local shortage, the RNLI will run a course to help people obtain the relevant beach lifeguard qualification. But, while qualifications are permanent, fitness can be temporary. Brett Shepherd, Operations Manager (Lifeguards) says: ‘Lifeguards are tested against strict criteria at interview, during pre-season induction and every month while operational. It’s imperative to pass these tests and if lifeguards fail then they are stood down from their operational duties and given two chances to prove their fitness. Otherwise they have to leave the job.’

These tests assess the physical demands involved in lifeguarding, such as moving equipment when setting up and packing away, handling casualties and – of course – running and swimming to a casualty. During the off-season, the RNLI provides resources to help lifeguards maintain their flexibility, strength, stamina and swim fitness.

It’s a tough side to the job but, as a lifeguard with a season under her belt, Lucy understands why. ‘Seconds count and can actually mean the difference between life and death,’ she explains. ‘You need to get to an incident in the quickest time – we aim to reach any casualty up to 300m from shore within the red and yellow flags within 3½ minutes.’

So, once we have recruited a keen, fit, qualified lifeguard, what’s next? We make sure they are trained to save lives, the RNLI way. ‘Our training prepares all our lifeguards for any foreseeable incident,’ says Brett. The induction training covers key areas of working safely, local knowledge and responding to critical incidents, with their knowledge and skills being put to the test in a series of staged scenarios. Casualty care and working alongside other search and rescue organisations are also included. Depending on location, there’s also specialised training in the use of vehicles and powered watercraft.

Preventative medicine
‘A good lifeguard is a dry lifeguard and rarely gets wet!’ says Lucy. ‘It’s best if we can prevent accidents before they happen. It sounds easy just to look around the beach and spot those who may be at risk, but at times like the Broadstairs Water Gala when there are over 10,000 people on the beach, you really have to be on the ball.

‘There’s a few techniques we use and swap around – watching from rescue boards, scanning from the lifeguard hut, rotating our patrols and keeping hydrated. We also learn to spot hazardous areas, how they change with the state of the tide and weather, and how to identify and target those at risk.

‘As a rookie lifeguard last year there was so much to learn but our senior lifeguards take us under their wings and teach us how to deal with difficult situations.’

Brett adds: ‘We encourage all of our lifeguards to maintain vigilance at all times. As an organisation, we’re always looking at ways to improve the service we provide to the public. We have continued to work with the University of Portsmouth as part of a programme designed to enhance the surveillance capabilities of our lifeguards.’

Ready for rescue
When someone does get into trouble, the fitness and training slot into place. Rushing to the scene of two separate incidents, Lucy put her training into action and helped look after a young girl who’d collapsed on a hot day and an elderly lady who was cold after drifting too far out on an inflatable dinghy.

‘I realised that the little things can sometimes help and just chatting and reassuring them made them feel safe in our hands,’ recalls Lucy. ‘You’re well respected as an RNLI lifeguard. It’s great to be able to give something back to the community and even break the typical teenage stereotype! I really enjoyed last season and can’t wait to get back on the beaches.’

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More details

See RNLI.org/lifeguardedbeaches to find out which beaches will be patrolled by RNLI lifeguards and when. If you think lifeguarding’s for you, and you can pass our fitness tests, apply online at jobs.rnli.org/lifeguards.