What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard?

The primary responsibility of a lifeguard is to ensure the safety of patrons in and around the water. This encompasses a wide array of duties aimed at preventing accidents, monitoring behavior, and being prepared to respond to emergencies. Lifeguards are trained to recognize dangerous situations, enforce safety protocols, and provide immediate assistance in case of an emergency, including performing rescues and administering first aid.

While enforcing pool rules is important and contributes to maintaining safety, it is fundamentally part of the broader goal of ensuring that everyone is safe. Similarly, teaching swimming lessons and maintaining pool equipment are valuable tasks, but they are secondary to the lifeguard's main duty of protecting the well-being of swimmers. The focus on safety is what defines the lifeguard's role, making it central to their training and responsibilities.