Becoming a Life Saver

This summer I got Lifeguard and First Aid certified through the Red Cross and honestly I don't think I could save anyones life...

Three hours a day for two weeks I went through the training program. The first thing you have to do is swim 300 meters straight, without stopping, and let me tell you, this is not easy to do if aren't a regular swimmer. The 300 meters is definitely doable because there isn't a time limit. You can take your time and also swim any stroke.

Next, is the brick test. A 10 pound brick is dropped to the bottom of the deep end. You have to start at the opposite side of the pool, swim to the brick and then dive down and retrieve it. Then you have the swim with the brick on your chest to the opposite side. All in less than 1 minute and 40 seconds. This test is by far the hardest part of becoming a Lifeguard. The most challenging part is when you are at the bottom of the deep end freaking out because you have no air left and then you have to grab this brick and swim it all the way back. Luckily, you have a maximum of two tries.

After doing the skills test you learn how to actually save victims. We practiced entries into the water and how to approach people who are drowning. There is two different types of drowning victims: passive and active. They are pretty self explanatory but they both require different saving techniques.

To become First Aid certified we had to watch many videos. They were boring, so boring. In these video you are taught how to do CPR and life saving techniques. The most fun part of the whole program was practicing CPR and dummies. They even had baby dummies!

Once the training is complete you have to take a multiple choice test. Most of the test questions were common sense but some were more challenging but its pretty easy to pass the tests. You also have to do an in water test. This is where you show your instructor that you can save a victim in different ways.

After passing both tests you get a pretty certificate that says you are a Professional Lifeguard and First Aid certified and that you are responsible for the life of others when you are on duty.

So yeah, I still don't feel as though I can save someones life. If you happen to swim while I'm on duty I'm going to apologize now if I can't save you from your horrible drowning situation.