Swimming Pool Attendant

Also known as:

Pool Attendant
Pool Lifeguard

Introduction

Swimming pool attendants look after the health and safety of the users of a public swimming pool. The work may also involve monitoring the pool water quality, checking the pool equipment, supervising changing rooms and cleaning the pool, showers and changing rooms.

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Work Activities

Swimming pool attendants look after the health and safety of all the users of a public swimming pool. This involves keeping watch on the swimming pool while it is being used, by patrolling the pool area. The attendant must keep order and stop any dangerous behaviour by users, such as running by the pool or diving in the shallow end of the pool.

If a swimmer gets into difficulties the attendant must be on hand to help at once. This could involve using life-saving techniques. For instance, the attendant has to give first aid or artificial respiration if required.

Cleaning the pool and its surrounding areas may also be part of the job. This can involve:
• making sure that changing and locker areas are clean and safe
• checking the safety of any equipment used in the pool area, including the water filter and pumps
• dealing with maintenance and repair
• checking water quality and temperature.

In addition, the job could involve teaching individuals or small groups of people of various ages to swim.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must be a strong swimmer.

You will need good general physical fitness and stamina because the job involves long periods of standing and a lot of moving around. You should have good vision and hearing and a knowledge of first aid.

Alertness and a strong sense of responsibility are needed, as is the ability to cope calmly and sensibly in an emergency.

It is important to have a pleasant manner and to be able to deal firmly but tactfully with people. Good clear communication skills are vital, as is the ability to work as part of a team.

Life-saving skills are required and teaching skills may be preferred.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Swimming pool attendants earn in the range of £6 - £9 an hour.

Assistants work a basic 37-hour week, which may include evenings, weekends and shift work. There may be opportunities to work on a part-time or casual basis.

There are jobs in sports, recreation, health and fitness centres and clubs. There are also jobs in hotels and holiday camps that have a swimming pool.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Employers usually require you to have either the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) awarded by Lifesavers (the Royal Life Saving Society UK) or the Level 2 Certificate for National Rescue Standard - Pool Lifeguards (NaRS PL) awarded by the Swimming Teachers' Association (STA).

Swimming awards and prizes are an advantage. A background in and qualifications in sports and first aid are also helpful. Courses are available from a large number of centres throughout the country.

• 47% of those in lifeguard occupations work part-time.
• 2% have flexible hours.
• 1% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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