As the weather heats up and people seek to cool down at beaches and swimming pools, a shortage of lifeguards is causing some municipalities to close or reduce operating hours at these aquatic facilities. In New York City, for example, only 230 out of the 600 lifeguards needed to fully staff and patrol the beaches have been hired, leading to concerns about safety. Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged the national lifeguard shortage and proposed hiring migrant asylum seekers as lifeguards to address the issue. The city has also raised lifeguard pay to $22 per hour in an effort to attract more applicants.
In Rochester Hills, Michigan, officials had to close the swimming area and beach at a park due to a shortage of lifeguards. The city is offering a $500 bonus for aquatic staff who work an average of 24 hours per week through mid-July to try to fill the staffing gap. Many other cities are still recruiting and training lifeguards who will be assigned to beaches and pools after the holiday weekend. Wyatt Werneth, the national spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association, mentioned that municipalities are offering incentives such as sign-on bonuses, wage increases, and free training to attract more lifeguards.
The visibility of the lifeguard profession plays a role in attracting applicants, as portrayed in popular TV shows like “Baywatch.” However, there has been a persistent shortage of lifeguards, leading to the closure or sporadic operation of about a third of the country’s public swimming pools in recent years. Los Angeles County is facing a lifeguard shortage for the third consecutive year, prompting officials to offer increased pay and a less challenging swim test for pool lifeguards. The American Red Cross stated that while they hadn’t received reports of a national lifeguard shortage, some aquatic facilities and seasonal businesses across the country are having difficulties hiring enough staff.
Efforts to recruit more lifeguards are seen in various cities, with Volusia County, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona, reported to be actively seeking lifeguards. The ALA recommends checking local beach or pool websites to ensure that they are fully staffed with lifeguards before swimming, as drowning can be a serious risk. The CDC reports about 4,000 drowning deaths annually, emphasizing the importance of swimming in areas monitored by lifeguards. Werneth stressed the importance of learning how to swim and swimming in front of a lifeguard to ensure safety. Municipalities and organizations are implementing strategies like increased pay, bonuses, and training incentives to address the lifeguard shortage and maintain public safety at aquatic facilities.
