Beach lifeguards provide a patrolling presence on beaches and other stretches of open water. They carry specific rescue equipment which they have been trained to use and which is appropriate to the place that they are working.

Beach lifeguards may also have to deal with drunks and drug users, but their main role is often to provide basic local safety knowledge to users of their beach. They often work in association with other organisations, such as the Coastguard, local ambulance services, lifeboats and so on.

Lifeguard Towers

Lifeguard towers are used to watch and supervise swimmers in order to prevent drownings and other dangers. Lifeguards scan for trouble from the structures, which vary from beach bungalows by the ocean to poolside towers. Lifeguard towers are also used to spot sharks and other hazards.

The towers have featured in television shows including Baywatch. Their construction is sometimes paid for with fundraisers, and their operation and staffing is subject to funding availability. Design contests have challenged architects to offer their visions of the structures.

Regular Training

The kinds of rescue that beach lifeguards perform often call for stamina and endurance rather than just speed. They rarely work alone. Most beaches would be too complex to do so and this would place them in immediate danger themselves, so they are trained to act as part of a team.

Regular training sessions are part of the job and can be great fun whilst keeping essential skills up to date.

Qualifications

Many people go to a local branch of the national organisations to get their first aid and CPR certification. Some move on to get the lifeguard certification. There are a variety of "specialist modules" that can be added to the basic qualification, like Radio Operator, Rescue Surf Skills, Paddle Craft Rescue, Personal Water Craft Training, Rescue Boat (Crew), Rescue Boat (Helm), AED and CPR Oxygen Administration.

In the United States are several nationally recognised organisations that certify lifeguards, like the American Red Cross (ARC) and its Lifeguard Training Program, the YMCA, Starfish Aquatics Institute (StarGuard), the City of Los Angeles, the Boy Scouts of America, and National Aquatic Safety Company (NASCO).

In Britain, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provides well-funded beach lifeguards. They currently focus on the South Coast, with plans to roll out nationally in the next few years. The Surf Life Saving Association (GB) also provides training courses.