Calling all future lifeguards

From Baywatch to Stranger Things, Hollywood has long had an infatuation with lifeguards.

But Blue Island Aquatic Supervisor David Garcia says being a lifeguard is so much more than what people see in the movies.

“This is a job that requires fast thinking and attention to details,” Garcia said. “You never when you are going to have to put your training into action. It is a great job for young people fresh out of high school because they get to learn new skills and work in a good environment and learn how to handle real responsibilities.”

Garcia has worked for the Blue Island Park District for the last six years. He started out as a lifeguard and now serves as the Park District’s Aquatic Supervisor.

“I had a friend who got his certification before I did,” Garcia said. “He told me to apply, and I did. I realized right away that this was more than just a job. It became my career.”

These days, Garcia only does lifeguard duty when someone is sick, and they need a shift covered but he said once a lifeguard, always a lifeguard.

“There are not a lot of jobs you can get right out of high school that come with the kind of responsibility that comes with being a lifeguard,” Garcia said. “A great day for a lifeguard is a day when we don’t have to put our training into practice but when we do – there is no better feeling than saving a life. Saving someone’s life is something that stays with you.”

A typical shift lifeguard shift is 8 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 8 pm. The park district provides all the required classes to become certified as a lifeguard and everything is free of charge provided the students go to work for the Park District.

“Our guards can save as much as $250 by getting their certifications through the park district,” Garcia said. “We get a lot of medical students come work for us because of the certifications.”

Starting pay for a lifeguard is $14 per hour and those wages do increase over time.

“There are so many doors young people can open by working as a lifeguard,” Garcia said. “We are hiring now, and I encourage anyone looking for an exciting and rewarding summer job opportunity to apply today to be a lifeguard.”