wohlfrom

Admittedly I originally decided to analyze the color of my lifeguard suit because I had no idea what to write about and I saw the Facebook post while I was sitting on my break at work. Normally I pretty much just think of myself as a glorified babysitter, probably because society that's what society dictates us as and sees us as. While I admit that most of what lifeguards do is just sit around and yell at kids, we do much more than scamper around in red swim suits. The suit represents more than just the bare minimum of a work uniform.

Upon further examination I noticed that not only were the suits red, but the tools of the trade as well such as the rescue tubes we use to make saves and the always fashionable fanny packs we are required to wear that house our breathing masks. Around the world lifeguards wear shirts with red crosses on them and utilize the same tools that I utilize in my work space. But why are all of these items red? Is it merely because red is a bright color that stands out or is it due to a deeper understanding of the job and the responsibilities that come with it?

The color of the lifeguard suit stems from a combination of both. Yes red is a bright color that stands out among crowds and in the pool. But lifeguards stand out in more ways than just the bright color of their suit. Lifeguards are, for the most part, teenagers from the ages 15-18 who have decided to go through the training mainly because their parents have nagged them to get a job for a while. None the less these teenagers were brave enough to accept a job that places upon them the responsibility of watching over and potentially saving lives.

Red often represents energy, passion, intensity, strength, and determination. All qualities required of someone who, one day, will most likely have to save a life in some way, shape, or form. If I were drowning I would want someone who is determined and strong to save me rather than having someone who is apathetic and could care less whether or not you drown. The red color of the lifeguard suit is more of a representation of the person wearing it rather than simply being the color the manufacturer decided to dye it.

Having been a lifeguard for years I’ve noticed how young kids come in to the job and how they develop into responsible young adults. They become more than just the "glorified babysitter" stereotype. Most start the job with the goal of getting paid for getting a tan and sitting in a chair but soon realize that they’ve come to develop bonds with the kids at the pool through swim lessons, coaching, and other side jobs of being a lifeguard. Building with the families is part of the job. Families start to get to know you, they’ll often stop and talk to you and thank you for what you’re doing even if it is because your parents said you need to start paying for your own shopping sprees and it’s just a seasonal job. Most of them do, in fact, appreciate you watching over their kids.

So as stated before, the red uniforms of lifeguards mean more than just standing out to the crowd because young people who become lifeguards stand out already due to the qualities that those red suits represent.