A lifeguard is someone trained to watch over swimmers and rescue people who get into trouble in the water. You'll find lifeguards sitting in tall chairs at beaches and pools, scanning back and forth to make sure everyone stays safe. They wear bright clothing (often red) so people can spot them quickly in an emergency.

Lifeguards learn special skills like CPR, how to swim while towing someone to safety, and how to spot the signs that a swimmer is struggling. They also enforce pool rules, which might seem annoying when they blow their whistle at you for running, but those rules prevent injuries and drowning.

The job requires intense focus. A lifeguard can't daydream or chat with friends while on duty because even a few seconds of inattention could mean missing someone who needs help. Many lifeguards are teenagers or young adults working their first serious job, learning what it means to have others depend on them. When a lifeguard spots danger and springs into action, they're using both their training and their quick judgment to save someone's life.