Caught on camera: Lifeguards not following the rules while on duty

[@freeleonardpeltier4148]

Lifeguards aren't babysitters. Don't send your kids to the pool while you go screw off. Teach your kids responsible, pool behavior, for their benefit and their peers. thats huge. You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) at the behavior of some adults who show up to the pool/lake.

[@markryb666]

Summer Oleniuk agreed. I get this regularly parents coming up to me asking if i could watch their kids while they go else where...... erm.... NO

[@kholafier645]

no one said we're babysitters you idiot. You're supposed to be watching the pool at all times no matter what. that's what they get paid to do.

[@michaelpitta9773]

No straight up this shit happens all the time lol and its great

[@heatherbaker6247]

In UK no child under the age of 8 are aloud in the pool with out an adult

[@171TITO]

Once the person or kid is in the pool, yes you actually become a babysitter. You're really not supposed to hang with other guards. These guys would get a 1 time warning, then terminiation. I did this when I was in H.S. My supervisor was like a prison guard

[@dillomminnix9380]

That 1/2 hour “pool closed” time does not require lifeguards. Those people swimming are breaking the rules as it clearly read “Pool Closed”. Not the lifeguarding staffs fault.

[@killereria9945]

kbamm69 actually no.

[@growingathletes1183]

kbamm69 that’s not a pool rule that’s a property and boundary rule. Pool rules are like no diving.

[@tyaphillips6941]

It's the job of lifeguards and staff to get everyone out when the pool is closed. If there's no guard on deck and they knowing have people in the pool, and say something were to happen and them not know. Theres a good chance a law suit would happen.

[@killereria9945]

Tya Phillips but since there was a sign that said pool closed clearly visible they have no grounds for a law suit. They violated the sign and thus voided the pool of any responsibility.

[@tyaphillips6941]

Killereria true. Very true.

[@wesleywesson]

As a former lifeguard, when patrons are not around, I can 100% confirm lifeguards break all the rules.

[@sambusse]

the vice president of my company told us weed helps pass the time on the stand at training😂

[@joshgerstein7579]

Hahhha

[@joiebiden35]

Former lifeguard/current lifeguard off season, so true

[@aconitun165]

Ong we use the double tubes like skateboards on the slides after the park closes

[@andrewdwyer6462]

Y’all are joke man😂😂😂

[@trigrrug]

I used to try to chat up my friends who were life gaurds and they never took their eyes off of the water and always told me to stop bugging them. I always thought they took the job a little too seriously but thinking back I realize they were just good at their job.

[@Mrcool179]

Ray Mack the thing is you can talk to someone and still scan. Just don't look at them. It's kinda rude but whatever if it's a friend

[@cartercollins923]

@@Mrcool179a lot of pools have a ban on talking. Ellis and Associates doesn’t allow any conversations over 30 seconds period.

[@austinbellobello760]

I'm not saying what they are doing is ok, but as a pool lifeguard of 4 years, I can say I understand. Pool lifeguards are glorified babysitters for parent's who don't wanna watch their kids. It is an extremely boring job because the chances of anything happening are slim to none, so you have to find ways to enjoy your summer while everyone else actually gets to have a summer

[@erichhartmann1]

Austin Bello I feel where you’re coming from but that’s why you’re getting paid my dude.

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

One of my biggest annoyances is when people say lifeguarding is a fun or relaxing job. It is absolutely not. It is one of the most boring things ever... you can't just close your eyes and sleep, you actually have to pay really serious attention.

[@mizzymsp]

if you actually want to be a legit lifeguard then you might as well go to the beaches where waves often happen

[@Hellvor]

Was a lifeguard for 7 years under StarGuard ELITE, yes the job can boring at time, yes the job can seem like you are being a baby sitter.... but I would never stop scanning the water or paying attention for anything. The chances of anything happen cannot be determined as no body of water is the same and no person is the same.... Things can and will happen and your whole entire job and reason for your paycheck is to be ready the very moment they do happen.

[@20deepini]

Erwin Smith why dont you try lifeguarding?

[@bigzzzz5943]

I don’t see the issue in jumping off the stand into the pool if there is no one at the pool or on the pool deck, you are allowed to swim as a lifeguard. Just some creepy person recording them for no reason.

[@jamespriddy10]

Are you kidding pool deck is designed for jumping/diving not the lifeguard chair if he dives In and breaks his neck other people are going to have to deal with that shitty situation

[@Lethal97]

Well diving off the lifeguard chair is dangerous, but just jumping isn’t, because you’re trained on how to jump off the lifeguard chair..

[@zacharycaswell8583]

Dawg, the chair is meant to be jumped off of.

[@linxytv4505]

No one dived off the lifeguard chair. He did a compact jump. Have you ever been a lifeguard??

[@Lethal97]

Linxy TV He dove you idiot. Head first. I’m a lifeguard now. And you don’t go head first and say “compact jump”

[@SlimThuggah99]

Nobody understands how boring and tiring lifeguarding is, the only reason lifeguards talk like that is to stay awake and find a way to be entertained while sitting and doing nothing for an hour. And ik that what they are getting paid for but being paid isnt going to keep you awake in the stand. As long as nobody drowns and they are still watching the pool then I dont see the problem with it. I'd much rather have a lifeguard that's talking because at least it's 4 eyes on the pool rather than 2 sleepy eyes.

[@brycejohnson7356]

Keenon Carter I agree, I lifeguard at a competitive swim club and it can be extremely hard to stay focused because everybody just swims back and forth with basically zero chance of drowning. Often times the coaches start small talk with us to help us stay a little more awake and ready. I personally think it helps a lot.

[@KyleHurd]

Keenon Carter awww sniffle sniffle, but jobs are hard Daddy.

[@Jessica25710]

Well at least they're sitting. It may be boring, but most days they've got it pretty easy compared to jobs where you're constantly moving and helping the public. They shouldn't need to talk to stay awake. It's their job and their responsibility.

[@SlimThuggah99]

Jessica25710 yes you're right we do have it easier but that makes it more tiring, you try to sit and watch people swim for an hour and tell me if you're wide awake

[@zacharycaswell8583]

If you've never been a lifeguard, then you probably don't understand; staring at the water for 30 minutes straight over the course of 6 hours gets real boring. Where I work, there are rarely as many people as in this pool featured, but still, if there are a decent amount of people, we always stop talking.

[@allancook1311]

I've been a teenage lifeguard for 2 years now and you got to cut us some slack! We watch your spoiled brats from 10 to 8 a little bit of fun to lighten our spirits just to get us through a 7-Day week, we all know if something serious were to happen those lifeguards would snap into action and get the job done~ sincerely all lifeguards

[@loganduke1723]

Exactly!!

[@cartercollins923]

Got to disagree with you big time. Drownings can happen silently in seconds. Sure, 5 minutes after a kid has slipped under the water one of these guards will probably provide decent CPR. But they aren’t paying nearly enough attention to prevent a drowning.

[@jacksonheilman7787]

Why is this on the news😂

[@ThiccSiccNicc]

Lil Flex probably too bored to make shit up so that there can bash trump

[@chillchopapa3275]

CoolRandomStuff omg so true

[@sanaehitch6045]

Lil Flex LMAO

[@adamterry2997]

Lil Flex exactly

[@swaymurry9158]

Right

[@nikolaskatanjian4226]

I was a lifeguard for5 years and in those five years no drowning incidents

[@BangBangNoee]

Nikolas Katanjian lol that must've been boring.

[@nikolaskatanjian4226]

Alpha It was exhausting the training was the only part that had the most excitement

[@eddiesavan6897]

Do they not surprise you with a unexpected drowning test where you are?

[@nikolaskatanjian4226]

Eddie Savan it’s not that unexpected because of how obvious it is sometimes but my eyes were always scanning the pool

[@grantwills4284]

Nikolas Katanjian Be glad dude. Had it happen my 4th day of lifeguarding

[@christopherleas7178]

As a lifeguard of over 20 years, a pool manager, and certified American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor, this behavior makes me sick to my stomach. I blame management. These are high school kids that need direction and leadership. Anything can happen to any swimmer, at any time.

[@ave455]

I agree. The pool I work at over the summer is all mostly high School lifeguards but we were trained not to fool around. This summer alone we had 300 saves. If we were fooling around who knows what could have happened

[@ChelseaPrice]

Agree!!

[@michaelmic409]

Where is the team leader??🤔This why management should install CCTV to check on their staff...

[@jcuvier135]

"Certified," sadly, does not mean "qualified." Depends on who signs them off. I know some lifeguard instructors will NOT fail a candidate no matter how badly they swim or how badly they fail the written test. Also, being a good lifeguard doesn't mean someone is a good worker. You can perform all the skills for the certification test perfectly, but that doesn't mean you'll be an alert, professional guard. The guards in this video are proof of my point. Some LGIs are apparently afraid that failing a student reflects badly on their training. I'd be much more worried about how signing off on an unqualified candidate would reflect on my professionalism and integrity. Fail my course and you will NOT be certified. Period. Further, even if you're certified, if you're a poor guard, I will fire you in a heartbeat.

[@robertturner4168]

I failed many. Or just didn't take them into the course since there is a preswim. And needing a certain amount of students I would have to cancel. Which resulted in me getting shit from the CEO. All about fn money. I never caved

[@171TITO]

Passing unqualified kids is deadly

[@robertturner4168]

kbamm69 he should be fired too

[@joshuapotts6361]

I believe in any job, you shouldn’t do it if you are not at least a little passionate about it. It these teenagers are not interested in saving lives and ensuring the safety of kids, then they shouldn’t be doing it themselves. They are also a role model to the children, but they are setting them bad examples. Lifeguard shouldn’t be a summer job because it is such a high level of responsibility. I know you might say the chances of someone drowning are slim, but these lifeguards are going to have to work with that, because probability is probability and there’s still a chance - this fact needs to be recognised.

[@jcuvier135]

Absolutely agree! A lot of the kids we get are just doing it for their "college resume," whatever that's supposed to be (apparently they think having a responsible job will help them get into a better school). But, if anyone from a college called me about some of these kids and asked me how they did, a lot of these kids would be lucky to get into any college at all.

[@Africanfrogs]

If you have ever been a lifeguard you know this is nothing. You get paid minimum wage to practically babysit. More pools should hire “professional” lifeguards and pay them a decent wage. Not kids looking for a summer job.

[@cartercollins923]

It’s all about management. At my pool 90% of the staff are teenagers. But they are well trained and professional.

[@butlerdawgs78]

If the pool is posted closed for a half hour, but people go in anyway, it's that the fault of the staff or the patron?

[@robertturner4168]

KingintheNorth staff. Patron just being an asshole. At that point it's basically trespassing. Can call the cops

[@Jessica25710]

Both. Staff shouldn't be letting the patrons in the pool. Patrons should adhere to the rules.

[@McConneheyArt]

Staff.

[@Master_WannaBe_]

Only 25 hours of training? I went through 2 weeks of training roughly 5-6 hours a day

[@cripinboombopbamcuz2231]

Cory Thompson lmao. That much training just to drag someone out of water.

[@ryanpitre1593]

That’s all?

[@kellyskorner7357]

@@cripinboombopbamcuz2231 they need to know learn cpr and other health problems like strokes and allergies. And use different techniques for different type of victims and where they are at in the pool

[@86aidan31]

@@kellyskorner7357 thank you for defending me! lol there are literally at least 20 different water rescues just for a pool. im excluding beach stuff. i need to know CPR/AED, signs of stroke, heat exhaustion/stroke, heart attack obvious. Seizures, dehydration, blood and trauma, bee stings and allergies related to anaphlaxis, and i still need to do the chemicals, clean stuff, trash, tarp the pools and be a fun killer unfortunatly, no running etc. and you start at minimum wage sometimes.

[@nelinel7264]

I'm sorry but figurative dance got me XD

[@Army-xn9tj]

How has these two years been? Since you posted that comment?

[@foamyloro5699]

How has these three years been? Since you posted that comment?

[@86aidan31]

@@foamyloro5699 how has the four days been for you?

[@GMM1738]

@@86aidan31 how abt those 8 months

[@LaynieM]

I'm a lifeguard in Florida. I talk to people, but just watch my zone at the same time. I've made a couple saves. I feel like being more chill is better because if you're super stressed and never taking breaks then you'd be more panicked in an emergency.

[@lars1813]

“And she just backed up because it was loud” , (deep breath) ,”wow”

[@alexandriawells9658]

I work in a small town and we only speak to other guards about things happening in the pool or patrons, A.K.A important things. We only talk briefly while we rotate and continue to look at the pool. Sometimes a head guard (supervisor) will come and stand by us and ask us how the day is and how patrons are behaving. We still get yelled at for it by parents and it reminds us that even though we're still scanning the water while we're talking, it looks bad and sends a bad message.

[@clawception5821]

Alexandria Wells BORINGGGGGG

[@alexandriawells9658]

Clawception !!! SAFEEE

[@savagelyliving]

I work at a water park and we are only allowed to talk to someone who is on stand for 1 minute before we have to end the conversation. Our supervisors and managers will often come check on us and ask us typical questions in like 15 seconds before moving on. As long as I am paying attention to the water, I don’t care if someone notices that I’m talking to someone, because I in fact have the right to and it’s none of their business lol

[@suns_out_7610]

3-second long video clips of teenage life-guards chatting with each other. Wow, big break-through ABC news, you really shocked us there! I would have never expected to see a life-guard chat with another life-guard while on duty.

[@pepperz4320]

Is the aquatics director going on a safari?

[@mariahhall8481]

This is definitely example of what not to do while on duty. That’s crazy though. The manager seems like chill relaxed dude. But it’s sad they took advantage of the team and thought they could still do what they did. The manager tried what he could do. So bless his heart!

[@dawiddworak538]

25 hour training lol. In Poland you have to have at least 66h of water rescue training and 66h advanced first aid training

[@aznfriedrice415]

Actually its 28.5 hours for initial lifeguard training with cpr and basic first aid. +1.5 hours for oxygen administration training, +6 hours for open water or 3.5 hours for waterpark after pool lifeguard training. In California, advance first aid training (title 22) is required for public sector (government) lifeguards + 21 hours. Training still continues once employed and require at least 2-4 hours per month.

[@oscarortiz2089]

Dawid Dworak loser

[@snliner1308]

Dawid Dworak how much they make tho?

[@tyaphillips6941]

I remember doing 50 to 60 hour training. Not all at once, every weekend for 8 to 9 hours in one month. And if she felt you weren't ready, or you're a liability, she wouldn't pass you.

[@Knowledgeable_Idiot]

Poland sucks though

[@shhhhiiiieeeeeeettt6451]

Ok it’s one thing to talk to ya boii while on stand, it’s another thing to be completely ignoring your water and looking at them while having a conversation.

[@josephinesybers9981]

red cross lifeguards need to not look away from the water, no wonder why ellis is more strict on things.

[@mooyo8951]

lmao red cross is nothing ahaahh

[@r3ndering819]

Well, I've been lifeguarding for three seasons. This last season I lifeguarded at a wave pool where there were saves basically every day, and I can say that Red Cross Lifeguards, at least the ones I were with were some of the best trained and well developed guards I've ever seen. Don't quote me on this but the standard for saves I believe is recognition in 20 seconds and reaching them in forty seconds. We had guards who could recognize drownings before they even happened in a crowd of 200 people. I did do Star Guard training too, but that wasn't nearly as comprehensive as the two week red cross course I took.

[@aznfriedrice415]

Ellis Lifeguarding is strict due to their original training audience towards waterparks. You get all sorts of people who can or can't swim. In those environments, you can't really swim test everyone when you have hundreds of guest coming to your facility everyday.

[@morganearly3918]

Josephine Sybers Ellis made me a better lifeguard.

[@nekoharucosplay6463]

r3ndering it should be 10 seconds to recognize and 20 seconds to get to the G.I.D. Ellis is my favorite cause they take safety first

[@starscream3929]

Those lifeguards give us a bad reputation. That's what really irritate me seeing lifeguards not doing their jobs right and goofing off while at work

[@victoriabergmann7454]

I'm a lifeguard in Missouri, the people in this video are an absolute joke. Even the managers who act like it's okay.

[@jaywoods4066]

Michelle Ann yo I’m from Missouri too

[@wcghavii7625]

Michelle Ann u have no idea what ur talking about

[@victoriabergmann7454]

Are you a lifeguard? If not then I think you mean that you have no idea what i'm talking about. If you are a lifeguard and you think it's okay to act the way these guards are in this video then you need to quit your job because you're not helping anyone. I train almost everyday before and after a full day of work going over everything that a lifeguard would need to know. That way I can do my best if something terrible were to happen. Hence, I do think I know what i'm talking about. Go freshen up on a StarGuard manual.

[@convictedtv2382]

stfu

[@oucutie1]

Jay Woods You blew in from the middle west You certainly impressed The population here abouts Well baby I’ve got news for you I’m from Missouri too So naturally I’ve got my doubts Lyric from the tune “You came a long way from St. Louis”

[@pops4192]

When I was 3-4 I was by the deep end of the pool, and away from the pool for small children. I fell into the water and nearly drowned. I saved myself by learning how to doggy paddle. That all happened right infront of two lifeguards talking, and around a lot of people. Nobody helped

[@jacobtorris3428]

This is not an accurate representation of all pools across America. I am a certified lifeguard and in my experience, it depends on the location of the pool and the type of pool. If the pool is located in a rough area, it's safe to say that not all the guards are qualified. If the pool is located in a rich neighborhood you can guarantee that it's going to be safe. I have worked at clubs and rich kid camps where members pay thousands of dollars to attend, and let me tell you, they are the safest pools in the world because if your goof off once, or pull your phone out for a split second you will be fired effective immediately.

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

It's stressful working for a rich pool haha. It's sooo different from this video.

[@adamwiest622]

As a lifeguard, I definitely talk to my friends when I’m on a down

[@robertturner4168]

Ex lg still current. But before I even go into a pool i look at the lifeguards. That determines if I swim or not. As for jumping off the LG stand as long as the pool is closed to the public. All good. No lifeguard hasn't done it. And if they said they haven't they lying

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

Robert Turner I haven't had the chance too because I work indoors where there aren't any stands D:

[@robertturner4168]

Erwin Smith small pool? Depth wise?

[@robertturner4168]

Erwin Smith just a fun jumping off it even at 27. Ours was about 7 ft in the air. But what got me mad as soon as I started working there, they got rid of the diving board! Its like they knew. Lol. But I am a strict mother fucker when patrons were there with my guards. Had to fire 2 because of them talking to each other and not looking at the water at all!

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

Robert Turner 5 feet in the deep end of the pool. I get why they don't have stands, it only takes one idiot to break his legs...

[@robertturner4168]

Erwin Smith lol. Yeah. They would.

[@malikbibby8775]

As far as swimming when the pool is closed as long as they are all guards in the water that is not a concern. Guards conduct in service training etc as a group and drills all the time in the same manner. Same thing goes for jumping off the stand - if the pool is closed to the public the guards really have free use of the pool in most places they work, especially during a hot summer with long hours they often need that to keep them going for the rest of your shift. As far as talking, it should be limited. As a head guard I stand on the side not blocking the view of the guards to speak to then about situations, get updates on the shift and patrons, etc. And honestly sometimes to keep them company because it is easier than you think to fall asleep and having someone there to have light conversation with while doing your job actually keeps the person more alert. Guarding for long hours multiple days in a row adds up and can lead to burnout. In this video it goes a little too far as far as the chatting, even when patrons would talk to me while guarding I always told them it's okay to talk to me but dont take it as me being rude if I dont look at you since I need to watch the water. They need more discipline, but they are teenagers so they have room go learn. I worked as head guard in two facilities on a college campus and this is a matter of management not lack of skills

[@only1kyng463]

Louder for the people in the back

[@sosaltysereezy]

*the real problem is why they put immature kids in such a valuable role*

[@wcresponder]

25 hours? To become a basic lifeguard in Canada it takes a minimum of 96 hours. Sutton is not shocked that this is happening in his facilities...wow...that is pathetic management right there. And the pool manager...geez...got the bottom of the bucket right there.

[@Mrcool179]

wcresponder damn I'm a lifeguard in Canada and I didn't even realize it was that long 😂 sorts just breezed by

[@JonowolfOllero]

Ive been lifeguard for 10years and i have license Philippine National Redcross certificate, American Redcross and Ellis and Associate. 7yrs lifeguard in Dubai and one of the main problem is hiring a uncertified or unqualified lifeguards. And yes lifeguard need proper rest according to our license and training. These are what we train as well. Lifeguards are not nanny. Lifeguards are not robots. We use to stand in the heat with 50degrees of heat of the sun. So if the management hired a lifeguard whos is not qualified, but still they gave a license this problem will happen again and again..

[@BLAZE12319]

A life guards main job: to enforce the rules, and prevent injury or loss of life due to drowning. It’s the patrons responsibility to know the rules and learn to swim. The lifeguard is not getting fired if you decided not to control your children, or if your dumbass drowns, they simply have to do their best to act when it happens so that the city or facility isn’t liable. Lifeguards train to the standard and test to the objective. Professionalism can’t be completely understood during the short training that they go through to become certified, it has to be practiced on the job to be fully understood as a young first responder. the problem with most aquatic facilities is usually a lack of in-service training, and a lack of management not holding employees accountable.

[@lpspuppylover0780]

I never realized this was a major problem, but I now remembered that when I was younger there was a group of lifeguards chatting, doesn’t seem that much of big of a deal you might think, that day I almost drowned I yelled help but you know what they said “hold on” like I’m going to die!!

[@hlpools3303]

While my company and I are strong Ellis advocates and we use E&A at all our facilities, this is a direct result of POOR management, and quite frankly, the Aquatics Director is to blame for not holding the pool managers and lifeguards responsible. His responses were definitely discouraging..

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Blah, blah, Ellis, blah, blah. Ellis is just another corporate parasite stealing money away from the original non profit creator of the whole profession as we know it, the Red Cross.

[@cartercollins923]

I totally agree with this. While Ellis pools are way safer across the board. A well managed Red Cross pool can easily rival the safety of an Ellis pool.

[@lindathrall5133]

AS A RED CROSS MASTER I WOULD START SNIFFING OUT THE UNDISCIPLINED STATESMEN AND CATCH THEM AND BRING THEM BEFORE THE RULE INFRACTION BOARD

[@jp__878]

Those lifeguards seem like really cool dudes.

[@heatherbaker6247]

Thank god the lifeguards in UK are fully trained

[@jessicaely2521]

Most US guards are also. This is NOT a representation of all lifeguards in the US. It really depends where you work. If you work in a bad neighbourhood your going to have bad lifeguards. If you work in a middle class up to rich neighbourhood your going to have really good lifeguards. I worked at pools with Supreme Court justices, Senators, sport figures, and Country music stars. If I did any of this I would of been fired instantly. The jumping off the stand for in service purposes (pool was closed) was allowed. If ANY of us dove into the pool even though it was really deep we would be fired. If any of us had a long conversation like these kids did we would be fired. We did have co-workers, members, and bosses come and talk to us, but it was ALWAYS relevant to what we were doing and usually for a short time. Managers did it because it would get EXTREMELY hot (close to 40 C) and they wanted to make sure we were doing ok. I passed out on the stand one time because of the heat.

[@nylaaaa8341]

*did you try turning it off and on again*

[@pinocchioballer6084]

I guess talking is now prohibited for lifeguard's.

[@clintbond7506]

Its allowed, but they can't let the conversation distract them from what's going on in the pool.

[@nate5353]

Pinocchio Baller in training it is explained that when a conversation is initiated you should let the other person know that you will not be looking at them while you are talking because you need to scan the pool.

[@ave455]

If you are on stand and a swimmers expressing concerns you should direct them to an off stand lifeguard

[@firegamer6325]

In in the Us some requirement is to be able to swim 25 laps correctly, swim with avg of 50 lb of bricks, year of training, learn different methods of rescuing and that’s our school requirements to become certified lifeguard in our highschool since it’s a course you can take.

[@allancook1311]

Fire Gamer that's exactly what it is in Ohio for CRC

[@Fmbjay7]

These news crews be snitching so much 😂

[@MrJohnzy77]

Pool lifeguarding is a joke Beach lifeguarding is not I’ve done both

[@pumpkingamebox]

Oh no. The teenagers are irresponsible. Who would have thought?

[@BLAZE12319]

All of these lifeguards look like really strong swimmers

[@tim197]

As long as another lifeguard is on duty it’s fine for another lifeguard to play around or something.

[@therealgg13]

I am a lifeguard in Canada, and I would NOT feel save if I was swimming in Baltimore pools. IT IS NOT okay, even for a second to be texting and/or not watching the water. You are paid to watch the POOL, NOT to fool around, talk and blow whistles at each other. What if something happens when they were doing this shit? They will be sued and fired immediately. The direction should be NOT to be distracted by either patrons or other lifeguards. If they do, we will look for ways to let you go.

[@mrs.caseyhicks7474]

Total Social i definetly agree i have to keep a whatch on the lifeguards being a fellow lifeguard i shouldnt have to most of them do stupid things then tell upper management something else and in trusted to come tell the true story

[@marcofelizzola4108]

Total Social hey man im a lifeguard in baltimore county and im amazing at my job. I take it very seriously

[@MystiqueRisingSun]

Patrons are one thing, friends/family is another. It takes two seconds to tell someone what time the pool closes, point towards the bathrooms, etc. When patrons have questions, it's usually not that big of a deal....unless they want to get into a long conversation about how long you've been a guard and how long you've worked there or something...then it's time to - politely - tell them you need to focus on the water and the manager/owner can help them with any further questions.

[@Littlegoblinfatface]

Total Social i think that says more about your lifeguarding skills if you cant swim w o feeling safe. I hate working w people like u.

[@charlieconley1348]

Total Social I live in Baltimore and sometimes we don’t have life guards but it’s not like your just gonna randomly drown and usually there are 10-15 other people

[@katvela3230]

The training was making me think they aren’t getting trained right, they dropped her

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

Kat Vela many of them probably didn't pass the exam. Lifeguard training is actually pretty thorough. The only real difference in training is how lenient your instructor is.

[@latiecastro3873]

if the guards are off stand and on a break there’s nothing wrong with them chatting. only a few of them looked to be like they were supposed to be actively scanning the water. and hot tip- if you are at a pool and want to talk to a guard/gauge the level of professionalism they have, speak to them from behind the stand. most guards understand that they shouldn’t turn all the way around to address you

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

I work as a solo lifeguard part time and it is super nerve wracking. I pay absolite attention to the water because to my knowledge I am the only one certified in CPR/AED and basic first aid in the establishment. I would much rather never have to find out if there was another than risk having to be the only person capable of giving CPR because I wasn't paying attention.

[@PhantomhiveButlr]

Erwin Smith That sounds... not legal. Lol, there should always be at least 3 guards on duty in the event that a head or spinal injury occurs.

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

Phantomhive Butlr I know right... they usually don't have lifeguards though at all so I don't even know what they're doing

[@johannaofthearts192]

why is this news station ratting out teenage lifeguards lol

[@Craze6k]

Where was this at ?

[@skippytheelder]

It's really interesting to see how different the rules for lifeguards are depending on what type of water they're watching. For community pools, the rules allow for them to take their eyes off the water for a brief period of time. At a theme park, lifeguards must scan their entire zone of protection every 10 seconds and cannot look away from their water.

[@surfers2therescueoceanresc337]

lol funny lifeguard manager.

[@bboybri4449]

One time I passed out at a pool and no lifeguard help me

[@dorkusmaximus5765]

Lifeguards have break people. From what I can tell most of the lifeguards shown in this video are on break.

[@keeponwishin]

As a former lifeguard and a current public servant, I see this behavior as unacceptable. Not only does it put your patrons at risk, chatting with your friends when you’re supposed to be watching the water looks and is very careless, irresponsible, and unprofessional in the eyes of the public. In this case I feel this reveals a failure of management to allow this to go on.

[@davidjarrell1792]

They’re teens, and most teens can be described as careless, irresponsible and , unprofessional . Sounds like lifeguarding shouldn’t be a job that teens are aloud to get

[@cartercollins923]

@@davidjarrell1792teens are perfectly capable of lifeguarding. It all comes down to management to keep them in line.

[@davidjarrell1792]

That's debatable. Sure teens can handle all the minor injuries that are commonly seen at a pool, no doubt.CPR is a different story, having somebody's life in your hands is a lot of pressure for a teenager. Some lifeguards get hired at 15! They aren't old enough to drive yet they are allowed to potentially save a life?

[@cartercollins923]

@@davidjarrell1792 teens at well managed pools will have received at least 4 hours of in service training every month. You become pretty confident and comfortable with your abilities after awhile. It just becomes automatic, even for teens.

[@xavierx9053]

Idk we only get on stand for 15 min at a time and we rotate and we usually have about a 15 to 45 min brake depending on how many stands are up and how many guards are clocked in that’s 15 to 45 min after each rotation (30 min to 1hour and 30 min )

[@nggdragonfire120]

Anyone notice the news teams symbol is the portal logo?

[@hitthatrwnoflare9645]

This is like getting mad because a fast food worker is on their phone in the break room. Just because they are out on the deck does not mean they are currently assigned to a station. Also, the best part of being a lifeguard is getting to break rules when not on duty.

[@tick-tackgirl335]

my dad and myself were saved by a lifeguard. We were at a pool when my dad carrying me went to the middle of the pool. the middle was really deep and not knowing went right in.

[@Tominos]

Leave us alone

[@emiliafigueroa4108]

My sister was drowning at the water park and the lifeguards did nothing because "They couldn't see her" 😐😒

[@nubblebubble8172]

Tessa Trujillo id never work at a water park.Its poison there since visability is crap

[@jessicaely2521]

I can agree with them. People don't understand how difficult it is to pick out a drowning person out of 80 people. You have children and immature adults that think it's funny to pretend to drown. I dont know maybe you are a lifeguard that never worked at a water park. If you never were a lifeguard watch the video Wave pool Lifeguard rescue on KZbin and see how many people you can spot that's really drowning.

[@aawazza1817]

Dalila Trujillo if they don’t see her then you save her. These days people expect everything to be handed to them

[@emiliafigueroa4108]

@@aawazza1817 Oh yes my mom had to jump in the pool and save her.

[@jaynaepranian8819]

Nubble Bubble blind spots are everywhere, but they should be trained to pay attention to them

[@Lethal97]

I’ve read so many countless people saying that Lifeguards should be attentive at all times. I work at a pool and usually all there is are old ladies doing water aerobics for 30 minutes to an hour or more. You literally can’t be attentive for 4+ hours watching old people swim..it’s boring, hot and humid. You can’t use the bathroom, and if you do you’ve gotta ask your boss to come and stand. Which to most doesn’t seem all that bad, but it’s not something you’d want to do...I mean who wants their boss to have a reason to look at them. Lifeguards should be allowed to talk to other lifeguards. We take turns scanning the pool, but we’ve also trained to look at the pool while we talk, of course we look at each other every once in awhile..but getting paid minimum wage as a college student after school and then work and then studying and finding time to work out on your “free time” it’s not a cake walk. And most people would say they could do it. You probably could. It’s not a difficult job, but that doesn’t stop it from being boring..especially when you’re the only lifeguard on duty and you’ve got one old dude swimming laps at 5 am. So instead of saying they should be fired..you put yourself in my shoes and tell me that you could do this day in and day out. Oh and we also don’t get breaks. Every 4 hours we get a 15 minute break if there is another lifeguard. Oh and shifts are usually 3-5 hours. So no breaks and you’re just suppose to sit there and be attentive at all times..yeah not gonna happen. This isn’t a hard job, but it’s definitely a boring job. So I’ll continue to do me, because more than 75% of the people commenting are your old aquatics lady or some idiot who thinks life guarding is all sunshine and rainbows.

[@juliehawkins5401]

That's extremely negligent lifeguarding. Not being on stand while patrons are in the water is unacceptable. Lifeguards should not be in the water while on duty unless performing a rescue. They can't scan the pool from the water. Talking with friends isn't acceptable unless it's urgent and pertinent to something going on in the facility, but they're eyes never leave the water. Being off stand, not watching the water, talking with friends and blowing the whistle when there is no emergency is completely unacceptable. Even if they're not on duty, whistling at no emergency can cause other lifeguards and staff to respond to a fake emergency when there could be a real one elsewhere. The guy is wrong at 1:53, they shouldn't be off stand talking with their friends if on duty, no matter how long. The guy at 3:05 is very incompetent. He needs to put a lifeguard on stand when patrons are in the water, no exceptions. Being in the pool swimming isn't guarding the water. "It depends, we know it happens" isn't an excuse. Lifeguards can't let their eyes leave the water no matter what. At the waterpark I work at, we would have been fired immediately if performing any of those actions.

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

Don't be an idiot on duty. You have one job to do and you usually get paid over minimum wage to do it. It is certainly not too fun to do but we aren't getting paid to have fun. Yeah, incident are rare but we have to be ready for them. Unlike most other jobs, when something goes wrong, it goes really wrong and you have to respond immediately.

[@jessicaely2521]

Depends where you work. City pays very well. Private you're lucky if you make over $7.50 an hour. Most of your waterparks the lifeguards get paid less than the people selling food.

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

@@jessicaely2521 I usually work freelance so I wouldn't really know, but the place I got certified at offered $12.5 an hour (minimum wage in my state is $10) most of my friends who work as lifeguards get $12.5 to $15 based on experience.

[@jessicaely2521]

@@HealsMarvelRivals hmmm...where do you live? Just kidding. I'm doing very well working as a beach lifeguard now. TN is a backwards state and I got out of there.

[@HealsMarvelRivals]

@@jessicaely2521 haha, I would never want to work as a beach guard. Far too stressful for me knowing that unlike a pool, people can go as far out as they want and you're expected to save them.

[@jessicaely2521]

@@HealsMarvelRivals that's why beach lifeguards are paid relatively well.

[@alexmorales8751]

This video gives off the same energy as the key and peels inner city wizarding school skit

[@callumlaroi2072]

In my city we require lifeguards to patrol even when lifeguards are training.

[@LoriVFenske]

I’m an Aquatic Director. It’s easy to pick on teens who earn less than they would at the mall. The real story is how poorly paid Lifeguards are paid. You pay teenagers $12 an hour and then expect perfection. The wage should be commensurate with the responsibility and should be high enough to attract adults as well as teens. Until water safety is taken seriously by city, park and YMCA pools, etc. this is what you will get. Look at the water parks that are Ellis certified and pay decent wages and you won’t see this behavior. This is a pathetic almost bullying story.

[@shanatinnin339]

He should be shocked instead of making excuses.

[@bethclark5700]

The fact that it's only 25 hours training says it all. Here in the UK it's a week of training including first aid, and all written work plus the pool time, and that's our INTENSIVE course. And the assessment itself at the end of the week is 4 hours long so it's clear only 25 hours of training is not enough

[@ariez__3770]

When I was younger my brother pushed into a deeper end I luckily saved myself right in front of me there was a lifeguard talking to someone RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME

[@dylannewton5799]

This is one pool. Like dont put everyone in one group, especially people that have to watch your kids that dont know how to swim.

[@politicalstatus197]

Are they on duty or off-duty? Because last time I checked, if you're not on-duty you don't need to be supervising. Which is why they're not over by the pool and someone else is.

[@joshabar5386]

Well i witness a lifeguard flirting with couple of women and this little girl was drowning right in front of him, I had to go rescue the girl since the lifeguard wasn't doing his job

[@kay6480]

Joshua Abarca he’s not working there anymore, right?

[@lilysmith3688]

wow i’m sure.

[@joshabar5386]

𝐸 𝒮𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝑅𝑒𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓉 he still works there

[@lekanakumong3708]

𝐸 𝒮𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝑅𝑒𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓉 man stfu

[@camerontaylor9360]

Sounds like horse shit

[@joesr31]

Lol the contrast, the pool I work in have 2 lifeguards on duty at all times, we can't do anything else but sit there. For the entire 6hr shift, I probably see only 1 swimmer, the rest of the time I'm just staring at an empty pool but we still can't chit-chat, or do any of the shit they are doing, we just sit there like the guy at 0:32 for 6hrs

[@cxllin2178]

I can’t be a lifeguard because I am gonna want to jump in the pool lol

[@titanslayer7941]

as a guard "time" doesn't matter when talking to someone 1 second and someone can slip under always watch the pool even if you talk with someone

[@ave455]

What makes me mad is that people in the comments are acting like this is okay. When I became lifeguard certified we were taught that if a swimmer had a problem that they wanted to address a lifeguard we would have to direct them to the lifeguard that is not on stand because honest and we are not allowed to have a conversation our job is to watch the pool to make sure nobody is drowning and make sure everybody is following the rules. I am disgusted by the behavior these lifeguards portray in this video. The pool I work at you cannot have conversations like this because people don't often. This summer alone we had 300 saves.

[@garlandmontgomery1820]

As someone who lifeguarded for 3 years I’ve saved 15-20 people and what they’re doing is not cool. Had a fellow lifeguard who couldn’t save anyone if she tried and was worrisome to know that the other half of them were exactly like the ones in the video just isn’t cool a lot of teens shouldn’t lifeguard should have more college to adults doing it.

[@GoalHornGeek]

At my pool, if there’s talking, it’s more so like “there’s a chance of thunder next hour, so keep your ears open” or something like where we’re telling them we had a concern about a certain swimmer. Sometimes we will talk to each other casually on stand, but we sit next to the stand and don’t actually look at each other - we only do this if there is a small number of people in the pool. Our company takes things seriously. The pool manager will report you if you’re doing something wrong and they will talk to you. A couple times a week, they pop by to see if you’re doing things right. One day, 2 coworkers weren’t doing the right thing and one was fired. The other guard was a manager but was suspended for 2 weeks and demoted, while us who spent far more hours at the pool were designated specific manager “Days.” For example, my days were Tuesday, Friday, Saturday - and I’d typically work every week on those days because of it

[@GoalHornGeek]

Our lifeguards are in fact so focused on safety, that we also ensure people not even on the pool deck are safe. Just last week, we had a car crash outside the pool and the lifeguard who was on her rotational break went out to see if the people needed help - including one where a woman was super bloodied. We also have training sessions monthly that we must attend where we practice saves and even sometimes find quicker ways to save somebody (I.e. with a passive child or small/light person, instead of needing a backboard, you put the guard tube in between them and the wall, then both guards get on deck and pull the person straight up as far as they can and then lay them back on deck)

[@kevingonzalez7464]

I been a lifeguard for 3 years and only 1 person I had to rescue

[@ethanluttrell]

As a lifeguard there is nothing wrong with this if they are on break, we get breaks every 45 minutes ish. In that time we are allowed and even encouraged, on especially hot days, to take a quick dip, talking to patrons is also part of the job, they have questions we have to answer. Blowing the whistle however is not the best idea

[@MS-sl6lj]

As a lifeguard myself, the guards who were messing around were probably down guards. When you're a down guard you're not technically watching the pool, but you are supposed to help if there is an emergency. Also, at an outdoor pool, you can jump off the stand if there's no one in the water. This is just bad journalism if you don't give context or even the schedule of the pool.

[@danielrobinson4665]

i lifeguard in england and the amount of people saying they're lifeguards in the comments and saying this behaviour is okay is shocking, i dont care how short your attention span is you're responsible for peoples lives

[@bushdidharambe4219]

I’m a lifeguard, if the pool is completely empty I sit in the poolside office but if there’s people in the pool I get up and sit in my chair next to the pool. You’re allowed to converse with other guards and you really (at least at my pool where the deepest part is only 4ft) don’t need to watch if the people are over the age of ten. This pool is obviously different because there are very deep areas, glare areas, there are lanes, and I think I saw a water slide? These guards should’ve been watching much more.

[@anthonykelley2085]

Red Cross is not as rigorous in lifeguard training as Ellis & Associates or EA. EA stresses more on scanning, and has unannounced audits and VATS to test lifeguards.

[@ufinnagetthiscrusade85]

I got news for you I once saw a cop over the speed limit by 5

[@moonlightpaw5868]

I don't know why they made 15,16, 17, ,18 a lifeguard. We all know teenagers can't stay still and sometimes they would like to play. Did they do this because they know teenagers won't fight for wages, unlike the adult who has to support themselves?

[@candysmith8724]

I have seen our lifeguards texting while on the stand. I confronted the supervisor to put a stop to that. The pool was full of kids and adults on a summer afternoon with one guard on the stand.

[@allancook1311]

Candy Smith I've had a lot of things to say to defend those lifeguards but what you're talking about is some dangerous messed up s*** I work for a government pool and something like that would follow me for the rest of my life on file

[@Daniel-ne5kf]

0:36 worst modified spinal rollover i have ever seen LMAO

[@savagelyliving]

That’s just a modified rear hug. Unless stated otherwise

[@faith7843]

While I don't agree with what they were doing I do understand it. Lifeguard isn't exactly fun, You sit or stand in the hot sun for a long period of time watching people be in the water doing stuff they know they can't/shouldn't do and having to tell them ,repeatedly, to stop. Yes I have gotten in the water while on shift, but I usually do that while on a break to coll off, and the other times during swim lessens when we are allowed to watergaurd because it is so hot and dry. I have also talked to other lifeguards while on stand and had a conservation but we were still watching the pool AND the deck, which you should always watch both. At training we get our work done then if there is time afterwards we can have fun and swim and we are all lifeguards. We also go off the diving boards when there is no people because the pool isn't open and we have gotten all preparations done or it is open but no people have come yet. We find ways to have fun while working because people come to the pools to have fun on their summer break while we just have to sit there and watch.

[@alanwitdaskimask7104]

Rip girls ankles 00:53

[@Winter4812]

Zapes Modz ouch I hate that

[@a.r3782]

I only went for 9 hours of training and they stationed me at a pool the next day for a 8 hour shift.

[@freddiethedog4908]

One I fell off a inflatable thing and a I can’t swim that well ( I was really struggling and couldn’t breathe ) and a lifeguard just looked as I drowned and as my friend dragged me back onto the inflatable

[@laurenm7929]

So the lifeguards went on break while the pool was closed? It doesn’t seem like it’s the lifeguards fault for not watching the water while the pool was closed...

[@debergerac9609]

If you can’t handle yourself in a pool without supervision, don’t get in the water