Life Guard Flashcards
Tell me about yourself
I have recently started a course in Finance and Economics at Strathclyde University - I’m really enjoying it so far.
Outside school, I enjoy swimming, I’ve started going to the gym and love the cinema.
I am completing the final requirements for my Duke of Edinburgh Gold award. I have completed my Physical and Volunteering elements, and just got the Skills section to complete. I have been focusing on learning to cook and currently making a lot of dinners to collate the evidence.
What are your strengths?
- I am a very reliable person, and once I have committed to a task or a deliverable, I will not let anyone down.
- I am also an empathetic person, who likes to ensure that everyone is included. I do not like to see anyone on the outside, and will make them feel part of the team and be heard.
- I am a hard worker, particularly when I initially find something difficult. I will put the time and effort in until I manage to become better at it. E.g. English
What are your weaknesses?
- I am a naturally shy person, which would prevent me from speaking up or providing my opinions. However, I have done a lot of work on this over the last few years and feel much more confident and will proactively speak out when appropriate.
- My mum would said that I am laid back - I don’t get stressed easily, worry about things or take things personally.
- I also think I talk myself down - my teachers often told me that I am much better than I think I am.
What are you most proud of?
I struggled with English and Reading throughout primary school, so much so that I hated reading or doing any literature work. When I moved school in P7, this was recognised and I received supported studies. Although I was subsequently diagnosed with dyslexia, through hard work and patience from my teachers, I not only overcame my challenges, but I learned to really enjoy English. I particularly enjoyed Creative Writing and critiquing literature and movies. I obtained an A in my Higher, which was a huge achievement for me. It also taught me that with sheer hard work, you can overcome major challenges.
How would your teachers describe you?
My teachers would describe me as a responsible, considerate and respectful student, who was popular with both teachers and other pupils.
My English teacher would describe me as determined and extremely hard working. Despite having dyslexia, and initially hating English, I learned to enjoy creating writing and analysing literature. I achieved an A at Higher through hard work and determination.
Provide an example of when you delivered excellent customer service
Not having direct experience of working with typical customers, I will use another pupil at school as my customer.
SITUATION: During lunch break at school, I was part of a group of boys who had gathered in the common room, and we were all chatting, laughing and joking. There was a pupil who was standing in the corner on his own, looking quite sad. I was aware that he was autistic and didn’t have any friends.
TASK: I wasn’t comfortable that we were ignoring him, and I wanted to include him.
ACTION: I approached Sean and asked how he was. I went on to ask him if he would like to join the others, but he didn’t want to. I pulled over a chair and sat with him. Although the conversation was quite difficult initially, I decided to talk about something we had in common - Computer Science - as I knew this would trigger his interest.
RESULT: Sean eventually relaxed and we chatted for the rest of the break. I also learned that he likes to be on his own sometimes, and that is ok. Although Sean still doesn’t like to mix in larger groups, he does feel comfortable around me and we often spend time together chatting. In summary, I learned how best to support Sean.
How would your friends describe you?
They would say that I am loyal, fun loving and laid back.
They would see me as the one who arranges events - making sure we attend movies on their release night, or go for food!
Why do you want to work as a lifeguard?
I’ve always really enjoyed swimming but became aware of the importance of water safety at a Scout camp I attended around 4 years ago – when one of my friends was struggling when we were swimming in a lake. I wanted to complete my lifeguard certification because of this, and it was a natural progression for me to apply to ensure the safety of others in a pool environment.
This job also aligns well with my desire to gain valuable work experience while supporting my studies.
What skills do you have that make you a good candidate for this position?
I have strong swimming skills, thanks to years of practice and improving my competency as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold Awards. I’ve also developed decision-making, teamwork, and leadership abilities through these programs.
My Life Saving course taught me CPR, rescue techniques, and how to stay calm and act quickly in emergencies, which are essential skills for a lifeguard.
How would you handle a situation where a swimmer is struggling or in distress?
- First, I would remain calm and assess the situation quickly.
- I would follow the rescue procedures I learned in my Life Saving course, approaching the swimmer safely and ensuring they are brought to the side without putting myself or them in further danger.
- Once they are out of the water, I would assess if CPR or other first aid is needed and call for additional help if necessary.
Can you tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure?
During my Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, we faced challenging conditions like poor weather, and I had to help keep my team focused and safe. In one instance, we had to make quick decisions about how to approach strong rapids when canoeing in the River Spey. This experience taught me how to stay calm and make decisions under pressure, which I can apply to lifeguarding.
What does good teamwork mean to you, and why is it important as a lifeguard?
Teamwork means working together to achieve a common goal. In a lifeguard setting, teamwork is essential because it ensures that we can respond to emergencies quickly and efficiently. I’ve learned the importance of teamwork through my volunteering at the food bank, where clear communication and collaboration were vital for smooth operations.
What would you do if you saw a swimmer not following the pool rules?
I would approach the swimmer politely and remind them of the pool rules, explaining that these are in place for their safety and the safety of others. If they continued to break the rules, I would follow the established protocols, which might include escalating the situation to a supervisor.
Why is vigilance important in this role?
Vigilance is crucial because situations in the water can change very quickly. As a lifeguard, it’s my responsibility to stay alert at all times and monitor the swimmers to prevent accidents or respond immediately if something happens. My lifeguard training has reinforced the importance of constant observation.
How do you handle stressful situations?
I stay calm and focus on the task at hand. My Life Saving course and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions both required me to think clearly under pressure. I’ve learned that remaining calm helps me make better decisions, and I would bring that approach to this role, especially in emergencies.
