LifeguardFinder

New lifeguard? Start here

New guards need a few pieces of gear of their own and a feel for how a private job goes. The gear list and the pool-party guide below come from years of running lifeguard events. Buy the basics once, keep them in one bag, and you're ready for any job.

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Your gear

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Must have
The basics every guard carries. Untick anything you already have.

  • Bring your own to private parties; most pools have shared ones.

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  • Comes with a whistle, and keeps your mask and gloves on you.

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  • Cuts the glare so you can see below the surface.

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  • Since the Red Cross's 2024 update, carry both an adult and an infant mask.

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  • So you always know the time.

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Add the must-haves to your Amazon cart

Nice to have

The splurge

How to work a private pool party

Working private events is one of the best jobs a lifeguard can get. Usually someone is throwing their 8-year-old a birthday party in a backyard that happens to have a pool. They've hired you to watch the pool so they don't have to, so the host and the adult guests can enjoy the party. You're giving them peace of mind, and fun. You get hired for all sorts of events, so you never know just what you'll find when you get there.

Gear

The host won't have a rescue tube waiting for you. Bring your own, along with your shirt, whistle and polarized sunglasses. A first aid kit, or at least bandages, is nice to have. See the gear list above.

When you arrive

Try to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

  1. Knock on the door. If they answer, introduce yourself, and be nice and courteous.
  2. If nobody answers, that's OK, it's a party. Try to get around the back through a side gate and get to the pool to start guarding. If you see anyone back there, introduce yourself; if not, just go to the pool and guard.
  3. Use the restroom, get your sunscreen on, and be ready to guard when your shift begins.
  4. Stow your bag somewhere out of the way, put on your gear, and get guarding. If you're really dedicated, check the skimmer and empty it, and grab the net if there's anything to scoop out. That's a good way to get a tip!

Safety

Depending on the kids and the situation, you may want different rules. The most dangerous things are usually large floating objects like rafts: unless the swimmers are teenagers or older, take them out and say we're not using that today, because kids can swim underneath and get stuck. With slides and diving boards, make sure kids swim out of the way once they land so no one lands on top of them. Ban chicken fighting and other horseplay: the kid on top can hold the bottom kid under. The kids who live at the house will always want to do crazy dives; tell them we're not doing that today, so the other kids don't copy them. Feet first, no flips, is always a good rule, even if the pool is deep enough to dive. Move any furniture pushed up against the pool back, because kids need room to play, and take unused toys out of the pool so nothing blocks your view. When you leave and the pool is empty, close the cover if there is one (it's OK if you can't figure it out).

Singing Happy Birthday

Every birthday party gets to the song. Tell anyone lingering in the pool it's time to get out and sing. It may not work, and that's OK. With the pool empty or quiet, it's a good time to eat: you're usually welcome to some food, and the host or another adult will often offer.

More than one guard?

Take turns eating and using the bathroom.

Leaving (the most important part)

When your time is up, find the host, the person who hired you. Tell them it's about time for you to go, how many people are still in the pool, and that you can stay if they need you (only offer if you really can). You can also offer to close the pool by getting everyone out. Most of the time the pool is empty or slow and the host is happy. If you're lucky, they'll give you a tip, so always say goodbye! If the host isn't there, a tip is unlikely, but you can follow up, ask how it went, and if they were happy, ask for a tip by Venmo, PayPal or Zelle.

If something happens

Take care of the person first, and get 911 called in any emergency. Then tell the host, and write down what happened, when, and who was there, while it's fresh.