Three Prime Rescue Skills Every Lifeguard Needs
There are many components of lifeguarding: swimming, running, patrolling, observing, and of course, rescuing. Of these, performing rescues requires the most training. If you’re thinking about pursuing lifeguarding as a job, make sure you have the skills that it takes — follow along!
1. Assist
Lifeguards know this word like the back of their hands. A rescue assist is when you need to rescue a victim who is struggling in the water. It may be a simple assist, like helping the person stand, or it may be an assist that requires equipment, like a rescue tube or a buoy. Now, not all assists are as serious as these. An assist could be something as simple as helping someone out of their inner tube at the pool. No matter how serious or light it is, this rescue skill is a critical part of being a lifeguard.
2. CPR and First Aid
To get your lifeguard training certification, you’ll need to be certified in CPR and First Aid. That’s because people are depending on you to save lives when needed. Whether you’re lending out a band-aid or using an AED to resuscitate a drowning victim, CPR and First Aid should be at the top of your list of skills to acquire.
3. Removal from water
When performing rescues, you’ll oftentimes find that the rescuee can’t swim to the shore or the side of the 
pool on their own. This calls for removal from water protocol, which varies depending on the situation. You should hone the skill of deciding the best way to remove a victim from the water. It takes practice, but knowing one removal tactic from another will help you move and think quickly when trying to get someone out of the water.
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