Glossary
Lifeguard
A trained, certified rescuer who watches swimmers at a pool or beach. Lifeguards help, but parents still need to watch.
A lifeguard is a trained and certified rescuer whose job is to watch swimmers, prevent emergencies and respond to them at a pool, beach or waterfront. Lifeguards make a large difference: the U.S. Lifesaving Association, as quoted by the National Weather Service (opens in a new tab), puts the chance of drowning at a beach with lifeguards at 1 in 18 million, and the NWS advises swimming only at beaches with lifeguards.
Lifeguards are not babysitters. Pool Safely (opens in a new tab) says parents and caregivers should still act as Water Watchers, because when a lifeguard chair is empty, the remaining lifeguards may not see the entire pool. The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says that even with lifeguards present, you should stay with your children.
Where lifeguards are posted, they also set the rules for the day. At New York City beaches, NYC Parks (opens in a new tab) says swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty. To become one, see lifeguard certification and how to become a lifeguard. See also why swimming near a lifeguard matters.
What you can do today: check the lifeguard hours at the pool or beach you use most, and plan swims inside them.