MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- To help keep Camp Pendleton pool patrons safe during the hot summer months, base officials look toward individuals who provide protection, care and reliability.
Base lifeguards strive to ensure that all families that utilize base pools can have fun while having total confidence and a sense of ease.
“Swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember," said Alex Carpenter, lifeguard, 14 Area Pool. "I really enjoy making sure that everyone who comes to swim is taken care of. And although there is nothing I’d love more than to go swimming everyday, the satisfaction I get from watching over others is something that can’t be beat.”
The road to becoming a lifeguard has its share of challenges as it requires the qualities that could potentially save the life of others. In order to claim the title of lifeguard, applicants must first complete numerous physical fitness tests. The challenges include completing a 500-meter freestyle swim in less than 10 minutes, treading water for 10 minutes, demonstrating the freestyle and breaststroke for 300-meters, swim 20 meters using the front crawl or breaststroke, retrieve a 10 pound brick from 15 meters down and finally, swim 20 meters back to the starting point.
“To the experienced swimmer, the test sounds fairly easy, but if you underestimate the examination it will get the best of you,” said Jason Torpey, lifeguard supervisor, 14 Area Pool. “We must ensure that the candidates selected are those who work best while under pressure.”
Applicants must be at least 16 years old at the date of hire and work permits for persons younger than 18 are required. Candidates must also have knowledge of swimming and diving skills, and must be in good physical condition to perform strength and agility testing requirements as well as annual re-qualification testing.
“Just like the Marines and sailors who reside on base, we expect our employees to always be ready to perform at any time,” said Torpey. “When base residents come to swim at the pool they can rest assure that my team of live savers are ready if they need us.”
The base lifeguards do more than just sit perched on that big white chair, keeping a vigilant watch over patrons. They also host swimming classes that instruct individuals from the ages of six months to adults on the etiquettes of swimming.
“The most rewarding part of my job is when I see a child whom I’ve been working with for weeks, finally take a dive into the deep end of the pool,” said Carpenter. “When I see their smile as they come up to the water's surface, I know I have done my job.”
For information about becoming a Camp Pendleton lifeguard contact the 14 Area Pool at 760-725-5084.