I was perusing old topics referencing lifeguards, particularly how they can often be lazy, inattentative, and put patrons safety at risk. I am a lifeguard at LA Fitness in NY and I work 18 hour shifts. The private company that LA contracts out to manage their pools only employs one lifeguard. I am completely by myself for every single shift. My supervisor whom manages over 30 different pools is actually banned from entering the location I work at for assaulting a member a few years back while he was lifeguarding. I literally have to meet him at his car in the parking lot when he comes to deliver chemicals. A major problem with this job is that not only is it a one man operation,I do not have to only lifeguard. I am also entirely in charge of regulating the chemical levels(ph, chlorine, alkalinity), temperature, and general cleaniness of the facility(mopping deck, vacuuming pool floor). Obviously this is highly distracting to my, arguably most important job of surveying the water for swimmers in distress. I would gladly close the pool every time I have to step out(usually at least once an hour every hour of the day) but I am not allowed to and would undoubtedly be fired from the massive amount of complaints LA management would recieve. I also am not even provided with a damn whistle or uniform. I honestly do not see my job as a lifeguard. On paper it is but in practice I am really a pool attendent. In an attempt to save myself from liability in case of an emergency while I am absent I leave the "no lifeguard on duty-swimming prohibited) sign visible all day so technically no one should be swimming at all times during operational hours. Obviously I do not enforce what this sign states so everyone ignores it and swims anyway so I am of course quite dubious as to how well that would hold up in court(my guess-it wouldn't). I just want to ask as a swimmer and paying member of an upstanding establishment, how would you feel if your local lifeguard started kicking you out quite frequently during your daily swims? I imagine you would be quite angry. So please, next time have pity on your lifeguard if he in such a poor position as I am, as not always is it his fault. He may not be provided with the proper support he needs to effectively watch over the patrons.
My LA fitness pool in southern NJ has no lifeguard - its 3.5' deep and a lifeguard is apparently not required in NJ for pools less than 3.5' deep. I'm not happy about the lack of a lifeguard, and appreciate having at least one other person in the pool (that does not always happen). The pool water quality varies depending upon who is managing the pool - the health department does close them down when water quality requirements aren't met - this happens about 3-5 times per year. I have had problems with high chloramines and chlorine levels burning my sinuses and throat, and I'm not overly sensitive. It's not a good set-up for serious swimming (poor lane lines, no backstroke flags, no gutters, no pace clock, warm water, questionable water quality at times), but I can almost always get an open lane.
My LA fitness pool in southern NJ has no lifeguard - its 3.5' deep and a lifeguard is apparently not required in NJ for pools less than 3.5' deep. I'm not happy about the lack of a lifeguard, and appreciate having at least one other person in the pool (that does not always happen). The pool water quality varies depending upon who is managing the pool - the health department does close them down when water quality requirements aren't met - this happens about 3-5 times per year. I have had problems with high chloramines and chlorine levels burning my sinuses and throat, and I'm not overly sensitive. It's not a good set-up for serious swimming (poor lane lines, no backstroke flags, no gutters, no pace clock, warm water, questionable water quality at times), but I can almost always get an open lane.
