You might not think it, but swimming pools can be extremely, the placid atmosphere hosts are number of underlying threats. For this reason, every public pool is the UK is required by law to have a set number of lifeguards patrolling the area. When you think of lifeguards the image you no doubt have in head is of David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson and the rest of their red-costumed colleagues running in slow motion down a Californian beach holding phallic-shaped floats.

The truth is that these days anyone can become a lifeguard, no matter how unfit or un-hoff like they happen to be. All that’s required is the completion of a two week course called the NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification) done in swimming pools that encompasses the learning of numerous water based life saving rescue techniques, as well as dry side first aid.

Once the course is successfully completed, the graduate is entitled to apply for a job as lifeguard in any indoor or outdoor public pool. When on the job, all lifeguards must complete monthly training sessions to be able to work, this makes sure they are still fit and able to do their job. In addition to this lifeguards are obliged to carry out administrative poolside tasks like checking swimming pool chemicals and pulling across swimming pool covers.

Having worked as a lifeguard myself I can say that the majority of UK lifeguards take their jobs seriously and behave in a responsible manner at all times. Any incidents, although they are rare, are dealt with promptly and with the minimum of fuss. As with any profession however there are the odd few that tarnish the reputation of others and bring the reputation of the role into disrepute.