County trains teenage lifeguards

  • 2022-07-28
County officials from Nassau County are training kids of just 15 years old to be lifeguards at their local pools.

The training was held at the Nassau County Aquatic Center. The first batch of 15-year-olds have just completed their training and are about to take the tests. If they pass, they will be the youngest lifeguards ever hired by the county.

This summer, a lifeguard shortage is being felt in numerous towns across the county, prompting a decision to lower the minimum age for lifeguards to 15 in order to meet the demand. The county currently has 200 lifeguards on the Books but it wishes to hire another 100, opening up opportunities for young people in towns like Williston Park to take the training.

Lifeguards need to be aware of the rules at public swimming pools, which are often made visible through sign and poster printing.

According to Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County’s Executive, the younger lifeguards would likely be tasked with watching the kiddie pools while they gain some experience, then given more advanced positions at the beach and the bigger pools in a couple of years.

Responding to the suggestion that 15 years old is too young to be a lifeguard, students argue people should consider their passion and qualifications rather than their age. Each student will have to pass a written test, a timed event, and a group scenario before qualifying for the job.

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