WHAT DOES A LIFEGUARD DO?

Reviewed by Lam Nguyen under Editorial Standards

Published: Jan 28, 2026 - The Lifeguard ensures guest safety by monitoring pool areas, cautioning swimmers, and performing appropriate rescues, first aid, or CPR. This role maintains orderly and clean aquatic environments through regular cleaning, stocking supplies, and properly opening or closing the pool facilities. The individual also reports incidents to supervisors and supports recreational activities by assisting with water events and ensuring proper guest access.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Lifeguard

1. Lifeguard Duties

  • Guest Interaction: Interact with guests while implementing park safety guidelines
  • Water Rescue: Provide water rescue, CPR/AED, and First Aid
  • Animal Safety: Maintain the safety of animals and people in and around the pools
  • Area Cleanliness: Maintain the cleanliness of the area
  • Guest Assistance: Greet guests and assist with the interaction program, check-in and wetsuit fittings
  • Audit Participation: Participate in the American Red Cross and SeaWorld audit processes
  • Safe Practices: Practice safe work habits, including the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
  • Pool Monitoring: Monitor pool for swimmer safety
  • Rule Compliance: Ensure that all Villagers, Residents, Family members, Associates, Guests, and Prospective residents comply with posted safety requirements and rules
  • Mobility Assistance: Assist Villagers and Residents into the pool and pool area, especially those using assistive devices for balance

2. Lifeguard Details

  • Guest Safety: Ensure the safety of all guests in the Recreation and Pool Areas
  • Activity Observation: Observing all guests' activities and patrolling in the areas and ensuring the smooth operation and safety
  • Skill Training: Participate in regular Lifeguard Training and Drills arranged by the department, to maintain their lifesaving skills and reactions
  • Guest Assistance: Assisting with all guest activities in the Recreation and Pool Facilities
  • Rule Enforcement: Ensure that guests follow the rules and safety regulations stipulated by the Company and the laws
  • Area Cleanliness: Prepare, clean and tidy all the equipment and tools in the Recreation and Pool Facilities, ensuring all guests' enjoyment
  • Facility Knowledge: Maintain knowledge of Recreation and Pool facilities including the equipment maintenance and restocking of amenities
  • Security Reporting: Adhering to all security and maintenance procedures and practices including reporting any unusual or suspicious incidents, hazards, or people, complaints and missing or damaged items in a timely and accurate manner

3. Lifeguard Responsibilities

  • SOP Compliance: Following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) created by management to maintain consistency in service standards and practices
  • Customer Support: Effectively attend to customers’ concerns by establishing each customer's needs and trying to meet their requests within the constraints provided by the Company
  • Maintenance Coordination: Report to the superior for the coordination of the facility and equipment maintenance
  • System Operation: Understand and operate computer systems in the Recreation and Pool Areas
  • Incident Reporting: Report accidents, injuries, unsafe work conditions and security issues to the superiors
  • Emergency Response: Observe and promptly execute all emergency procedures when it arises
  • Safety Participation: Actively participate in health and safety activities to ensure that workplace hazards are minimized and the Health and Safety of all employees are valued
  • Skill Development: Actively participate in all the training, drills and evaluations conducted or arranged by the department to enrich professional knowledge and service standards, to improve and further develop
  • Physical Maintenance: Maintain their physical strength, lifesaving skills and first aid knowledge by attending relevant training and drills

4. Lifeguard Accountabilities

  • Safety Caution: Cautions swimmers regarding unsafe activities
  • Rescue Performance: Performs proper rescue for patrons who are in danger of drowning, need first aid, and need CPR assistance
  • Guest Safety: Ensures guest safety while in the pool or on the pool deck by monitoring the pool area at all times
  • Order Maintenance: Maintains order in the swimming pool areas
  • Incident Reporting: Reports all incidents and accidents to a Lead Lifeguard and Supervisor
  • Facility Opening: Opens and closes the pool area properly
  • Area Cleaning: Cleans and maintains pool areas to be free of cups, trash, and towels regularly, as well as pressure wash pool deck and pool furniture
  • Supply Stocking: Ensures that the areas of responsibility are stocked with towels and supplies
  • Tile Cleaning: Cleans tiles inside the swimming pool and Jacuzzi
  • Guest Verification: Ensures that all pool guests are hotel guests
  • Event Officiating: Conduct or officiate at water events such as water volleyball matches

5. Lifeguard Functions

  • Swimming Proficiency: Swim with proficiency and endurance
  • Certification Maintenance: Maintain lifeguard certification
  • Accident Prevention: Prevent accidents and effect rescues
  • Rule Enforcement: Enforce the rules and regulations of an aquatic facility
  • Rescue Performance: Perform swimming rescues, CPR, and first aid
  • Relationship Building: Establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees and the public
  • Instruction Following: Follow oral and written instructions
  • Report Preparation: Prepare, read, and write various reports

Job Role FAQs

What is a job role?

A job role refers to the duties, responsibilities, and expectations associated with a specific position within an organization. It explains what tasks an employee performs, how they contribute to team objectives, and how their work supports the company’s overall goals.

What are the typical responsibilities of a job role?

Typical job role responsibilities include completing daily tasks, collaborating with team members, making decisions, and meeting performance targets. For example, a software developer may write code, fix bugs, review pull requests, and collaborate with product teams.

What is the difference between a job role and a job title?

A job title is the official name of a position, such as Marketing Manager or Software Engineer. A job role describes the actual duties, responsibilities, and expectations associated with that position.

Why are clearly defined job roles important?

Clearly defined job roles help organizations improve productivity, reduce workplace confusion, and ensure accountability. When employees understand their responsibilities and expectations, teams can collaborate more effectively.

How do job roles support career development?

Understanding different job roles helps professionals identify career paths and the skills required for advancement. By learning the expectations of various roles, individuals can build relevant skills and plan long-term career growth.

Editorial Process

Lamwork content is developed through structured review of publicly available job postings and documented hiring trends.

Editorial operations are managed by Thanh Huyen, Managing Editor, with research direction and final oversight by Lam Nguyen, Founder & Editorial Lead. Content is periodically reviewed to reflect observable labor market changes.