Can Anyone Engage In Voluntary Surf Life Saving?

By Byron Jonas


Voluntary surf life saving is a term that is not used that often. However, this service first began in Australia in the 1900s. Now, these services are being carried out all around the world. Not only does this service involve assisting lifeguards with their general duties, it is also deemed as a competitive sport in many countries around the world as well.

Generally, you will notice whenever you visit a beach or any open water area that there are always people known as lifeguards patrolling the waters. These individuals are generally perched on a high stool, so they can see if anything adverse is occurring in the water that they are designated to look after. Lifeguards are paid for their services. However, they will often times elect to hire additional people on a voluntary basis to assist them with their duties.

Every lifeguard is required to learn how to swim properly, apply first aid and how to rescue people from the waters in order to avoid drowning or death. Even though this occupation does not seem strenuous, it can be rather tedious.

Training is provided to anyone that wishes to assist with life guarding duties. There are specific clubs that individuals need to visit in order to obtain the proper training that is required for this strenuous occupation.

Not only will this training help life guards learn the basics of their occupation it will also teach them how to swim in different water conditions as well as how to save someones life if they are drowning. Every life guard has to go through this training. After the training is completed, they will receive a certificate for it.

Voluntary surf life saving is an intense service to get involved in. However, there are always people that will require your services, so you will definitely have job security. Who knows, if you are good at providing voluntary services, you may be offered a full time position at a later date. Winter on the other hand is when the extreme weather hits the coast, bringing crazy conditions. Even though most of the beach goers stay at home, the extreme conditions of winter provide great challenges for life guards to overcome.




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