Lifeguard Ranting

Lifeguarding is an under appreciated job. Young people like myself sign up for the classes, practice and remain fit. All in an effort to keep patrons of the pool safe. We are taught often that preventative lifeguarding is the best policy. This includes but is not limited to enforcing the rules. You know the basic ones everyone had to learn when they were young.

1. No Running (which apparently isn't a rule in Europe)
2. No Diving in the Shallow Water (New red cross water safety instructor rules say it must be 9ft)
3. No Horseplay (this includes wrestling)

These are the most basic rules, yet people have trouble following them. Their are four types of people who are the worst offenders of these rules: 6 and under, middle school kids, parents and my fellow lifeguards.
The 6 and under crowd cannot seem to understand walking, they get so excited. And you warn them over and over. Those little lost causes are so cute you don't even mind.
Middle school kids can and will break any rule they think they can get away with. Mostly the horseplay rule. They wrestle and splash each other to the point of nearly drowning. When you inform them of the rules they pretend you are speaking to someone else. Then they sigh, roll their eyes, and follow the rules just long enough for the guards to change.
Parents are without a doubt the worst. They run, then turn and tell their children not to run. Also when a lifeguard informs them of the rules they sigh, look at their children and say "Sorry we can't do that the *sigh* lifeguard says we can't"
My fellow lifeguards often forget that they can't run, or dive in the shallow end, or hold each other under water. When I remind them I am a busybody. But that is what happens when one works with a ton of high school boys.