Success at Career, Volunteer & Job Fair

On March 23, 2023, I decided to attend the Elyria Catholic Career, Job & Volunteer Fair. Afer meeting with many different people with so many unique opportunities, one of the booths caught my attention. It was the Lorain County Metro Parks. I asked them what kind of jobs they had for students, like me, at 15. They said “lifeguarding.” That immediately got my interest. I took a pamphlet and told them I’d see them there.

So, I decided to become a certified lifeguard. I had always enjoyed swimming and spending time at the pool, so I thought it would be a great way to spend my summer while also learning a valuable skill. The training program was intense and lasted several days. We had to learn various skills, such as CPR, first aid, and water rescue techniques. We also had to pass a series of swimming tests, including a timed swim and a diving test.

One of the most challenging parts of the training was learning how to perform rescues in the water. We practiced different techniques for rescuing a distressed swimmer, from using a rescue tube to performing a deep-water dive. During one training session, I had to perform a simulated rescue of a swimmer who was struggling in the deep end of the pool. I quickly swam over to the distressed swimmer and used a rescue tube to help them stay afloat. I then carefully guided them back to the side of the pool, making sure to keep their head above water at all times.

 After the rescue, I was exhausted but also exhilarated. It was a great feeling to know that I had the skills to help someone in an emergency situation. At the end of the training program, I passed all the required tests and became a certified lifeguard. I am going to be spending my summer working at Splash Zone in Oberlin, Mercy Healthplex in Amherst, and Lakeview Park Beach in Lorain, keeping a watchful eye on swimmers, and being ready to jump into action if needed.

Overall, my lifeguard training experience was challenging but extremely rewarding. I learned valuable skills that I will always carry with me, met a lot of amazing people who I will be working with, and I also gained a sense of confidence and responsibility that I can apply in all areas of my life.