Learn about Lifeguarding

The Fun Side

"Why YOU Should Be a Lifeguard"

Being a lifeguard for High Sierra Pools is not just a regular job – it is a one-of-a-kind experience.

High Sierra Pools will accommodate you, support you and help you through the whole summer – in both your work and personal needs.  You don’t have to worry about your pick up from the airport, finding an apartment, or – you will have our support in everything!
Here are some of the advantages and benefits of working with High Sierra:

  • Meet new people: from your housemates and coworkers, to supervisors and managers, to the patrons and staff at the property where you live, you’ll meet people from all over the world.
     
  • Have a responsible job: people will respect your authority and you will be part of their daily life throughout the summer.

  • Make lifelong friendships: Many lifeguards form long-term friendships with Americans and others, who help them adapt while they are here, and might even come visit your country after you return home!

  • Be in charge of the party: People go to the pool to have fun and relax, and you’re there to make sure it’s safe and fun for everyone.

  • Opportunities for advancement: Sierra promotes from within, which means that most of our pool managers, safety inspectors, supervisors, office assistants and managers started out as lifeguards.

  • Earn money while having fun: Many Sierra lifeguards use their earnings to take a trip at the end of the summer and travel with new friends, or to visit other friends working in the US.

  • Real-life work experience: At the end of the summer, you’ll be able to add a responsible job to your CV or resume!  Universities and employers look for applicants who can work well with others, take charge when needed, and learn new skills.

  • Learn about other cultures and yourself: while you meet new people every day, you might find that the person you learn the most about during your time in the United States is YOU!

The Serious Side

"What Makes This Job Special"

All High Sierra Lifeguards must be certified with the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.  The purpose of this class to teach lifeguard candidates the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare candidates to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries..

High Sierra Pools will:

  • Conduct a lifeguard training course in your home country, and provide certifications once the test is passed.
  • We will also conduct a Pool Operator’s Course for you that will teach you how to take care of the swimming pool equipment, how to handle chemicals, and how a swimming pool works.

» Find Your local Sierra Pools Representative in Your home country


What You Will Learn

American Red Cross training makes learning fun and easy. Through classroom learning and hands-on practice, you'll learn:

  • Surveillance skills to help you recognize and prevent injuries
  • Rescue skills - in the water and on land
  • First aid training and professional rescuer CPR - to help you prepare for any emergency
  • Professional lifeguard responsibilities like interacting with the public and addressing uncooperative patrons

Lifeguard duties

  • A lifeguard’s top priority is the safety of the swimmers. As a lifeguard you must watch the water at all times to make sure all people are safe
  • Provide help or assistance to anyone in need
  • Watch patrons’ activities on the deck of the pool. Watch for any potentially unsafe activities (running children, slippery spots on the deck, etc.)
  • Check and record chemical readings hourly. Adjust the chemicals and operate the filtration system appropriately
  • Check pool passes as patrons enter and exit the pool as required by the property
  • Keep the pool and pool area clean
  • Smile and be friendly!

Our Expectations

Each employee hired in High Sierra Pools:

  • Must be competent, reliable and on time
  • Must be proficient in the English language
  • Must conduct themselves in a professional manner, as representatives of your country and our company
  • Must wear a full High Sierra Pools lifeguard uniform at all times while on duty
  • Must be attentive, concerned and focused while on duty

Course Requirements

To be eligible for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course, the participant must be at least 15 years old and must successfully complete the following:

  • Swim 300 yards continuously using these strokes in the following order:
    • 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick.
    • 100 yards of breaststroke using a pull, breathe, kick and glide sequence.
    • 100 yards of either the front crawl or breaststroke. The 100 yards may be a combination of the front crawl and breaststroke.
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10 pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

Upon successful completion of the Lifeguarding course, each participant will receive two American Red Cross Universal Certificates – one for Lifeguarding/First Aid, which is valid for 3 years and another for CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, which is valid for 1 year.
Our instructors are very experienced and they are the best in the field. They will do everything possible to help you understand the course materials to get certified.

» Find Your local Sierra Pools Representative in Your home country