As many of us are drowning our bodies with tanning oil on the beach and swimming out into waves, somewhere in the distance, we always want to see that white-nosed, perfectly tanned, David Hasselhoff type running across the beach with a rescue tube in hand like some scene out of Baywatch. But believe it or not YOU can be “that guy” and spend your summer sitting on top of that “look-out throne” like a king.

Many students this year are taking the lifeguard test and course in hoping of lifeguarding this summer. Since we all do live near the water, lifeguarding seems like the perfect summer job.

Brookhaven National Lab has two lifeguarding programs, one that had recently started on January 12th and another that is on March 16th. This program trains you to lifeguard still water such as the bay or a pool. Both these tests have seven mandatory sessions and you do have to pass a pre-test to get into the program.

Already an experienced swimmer, sophomore Reid Rubio recently took the lifeguarding pre-test this month. He said, “I wanted to learn how to lifeguard because it looks good on college resumes and it would be a cool summer job.” As a part of the Westhampton Beach swim team, he also said, “Be sure that you are willing to put in the time for the next 7 sessions.”

Another sophomore, Caity Decara, who is planning on taking the lifeguarding test in March, said, “I want to be a lifeguard because it gives me a chance to spend my summer near the water and meet new people.”

Lifeguarding is a big responsibility but the rewards are endless. Spending your summer saving lives while getting a tan seems awesome. Click the link below for more information about the requirements and a copy of the form to register for the pre-test in March, good luck!

http://www.bnl.gov/bera/linkable_files/2014-Lifeguard-Training-March.pdf