Lifeguarding a nice way to spend summer days

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    By Ashley Davis

    As winter draws to a close and temperatures start to rise, many students look forward to the lazy days of summer for respite from the rigors of academic study.

    Unfortunately, dreams of basking in the sun and relaxing by the pool are quickly dissolved by the reality of summer employment, unless of course these activities are part of the job description.

    Lifeguarding is a great summer job, said Jessie HaffenLemon, a junior from Henderson, Nevada, who has been guarding at BYU for three years.

    “You get paid to sit outside in the sun and get a tan,” HaffenLemon said.

    There are also other benefits to working as a lifeguard according to Mike Olsen, a senior from Fresno, California, who has guarded at BYU for two years.

    “It”s a low stress job and I get a lot of homework done between rotations,” he said.

    While lifeguarding does allow for fun in the sun, there are some disadvantages.

    Lama Majaj, head guard at the RB pool, has already had two moles removed due to her extended exposure to the sun.

    Because there is not a great deal of shade surrounding outdoor pool areas, skin cancer is a definite concern, Majaj said.

    There are opportunities for students to work indoors and avoid the dangers of the summer sun.

    Shifts are longer when guarding the indoor pool, Majaj said. The pool opens for classes at 6 am and remains open until 10 pm.

    HaffenLemon said she prefers working at the indoor pool. Most swimmers are with a teacher and guards are not responsible for custodial work such as cleaning the bathrooms.

    Before applying for a lifeguard position, prospective employees are required to participate in the Red Cross certification class.

    The class requires a 30-hour time commitment, HaffenLemon said. The course curriculum includes first aid, CPR and other lifeguarding skills.

    To certify, participants must complete a 500-meter swim, tread water, retrieve objects from the bottom of the pool and pass the final exam, she said.

    Wages for lifeguards start at approximately $6.50. Applications are available in the office of the RB swimming pool.

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