I don’t think I ever mentioned where I’m working at Walt Disney World. Well ladies and gentlemen I am a lifeguard at Disney’s Art of Animation and I also guard at Pop Century. Like all jobs lifeguarding has its ups and downs. Pro: You only work six hours Cons: Staring at the water can be pretty boring. I mean we don’t just stare at the water but you get the gist of it. I’m actually about to leave in about an hour and a half.
One of the things that frustrates me about lifeguarding is the fact that we get paid the same amount as everyone else. I’m not saying that all the other jobs are not as important but we had to go through a lot of training to become “Disney certified”. The first week we all had to take the swim test which consisted of a vision test, swimming laps (2 for shallow and 8 for deep), picking up a brick (5ft for shallow and 8ft for deep), and if you’re a deep water guard you also have to tread water for 2 min. After that you go through Ellis Training where they teach you CPR, AR, FBAO, how to use the AED, group CPR, water rescues, water extractions, etc. My training class had like 50 people and all the information went quick quick quick. By the end of the week we took another test which was 3 portions (CPR, water rescue, and the written exam). Ellis then dropped the bomb on us that if we failed the test we could get one more try and then if you didn’t pass that you would get sent home. Like HOME HOME. I literally freaked about this and I was stressed out studying at home. I was only on my second week of the DCP lol.
After you pass Ellis you then go to your resort/water park and you will go through another two days of training learning scan ins, EAP, you’ll spot vats, and practice your 10/20. On the third day you take the KAPPA which is another 3 portion test consisting on CPR, written exam, and stand time which is pretty much you scanning the water.
Once you pass that you become a lifeguard! But beware because the coordinators have to drop vats 12 times a month to make sure we’re scanning correctly and we also get visually audited. A lot of stress guys.
Izzy is a custodial at MK and he says he’s usually chillin. Sometimes he gives stickers and pins away and yesterday he was making leaf Mickeys in Tomorrowland.
Of course if you’re an aspiring lifeguard don’t be discouraged! There are also pros to being a lifeguard but I just want everyone to know what they’re getting into because I’ve never been a lifeguard before and I had no idea what to expect. If anyone wants me to elaborate on anything, send me a message!
No matter what though I’m grateful to be a part of the program and I have met wonderful people through the lifeguarding process. Some of my coworkers and friends are actually people who I’ve been with since day 1 when we took the initial Lifeguard swim test!
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