Lifeguard

The Position

Limerick City and County Council is responsible for the promotion of water safety and

the prevention of the loss of life by drowning within the boundary of Limerick and on the

rivers and navigation channels. The Council works closely with the local Fire & Rescue

services, Civil Defence units and local Search & Rescue units.

Main Duties:

 Beach lifeguards will be responsible for the performance of their duties and will

work under the immediate supervision of the Water Safety Officer or their

nominee.

 Beach Lifeguards shall read, be familiar with and adhere to the Safety Statement

for Beachguards; participate in induction training and cooperate with other safety

training provided by the Council as required. Any issues of health and safety

concern shall be referred to the Water Safety Officer, the Executive Engineer –

Coastal or the Health and Safety Officer. The procedure for reporting issues of

concern is set out in the Safety Statement.

The Beach

 All equipment must be checked daily (each morning) to see that it is in working

order and ready for use. Any defects notified should be reported immediately to

the Council. To inspect all lifesaving and first aid equipment on arrival for duty to

ensure that adequate stocks are available and in good working order.

 Indication flags should be placed in prominent positions. The following flag

system is to be used:

 Red flag signifies that bathing is considered temporarily unsafe.

 Red over yellow flag signifies that bathing between any two such flags is

under supervision of Beach Lifeguard.

 No flag is flown if there is no Beach Lifeguard on duty.

 To ensure that from the start of the duty period that the appropriate flags

are flown and are changed or re-locate as necessary during the day.

 To ensure at the conclusion of the duty period each evening that all flags are

removed and that all equipment is checked and securely stored in the

appropriate place.

 To ensure that except for emergency assistance or official business, no one other

than lifeguard personnel is permitted in the lifeguard station.

Bathers

 Beach Lifeguards must always be courteous to bathers and give them the

necessary information regarding state of tides, currents and parts of strand which

are not safe for bathing.

 If, in the Beach Lifeguard’s opinion, bathers are about to enter water at a point

which is considered dangerous owing to currents, shifting sands, etc., they should

immediately warn them and give the reasons.

 To provide emergency rescue service in the case of accidents.

 Going immediately to the assistance of persons in difficulties in the water and

rendering to such persons the necessary attention; To render first aid when

possible.

 Where bathers are about to enter water at a point which is considered dangerous

owing to currents, shifting sands etc., they should immediately warn them and

give them reasons. Practice a philosophy of prevention over reaction in carrying

out the service.

 If the bathers are acting in an indecent manner, the Beachguard should bring this

fact to the notice of the Garda Siochana at the earliest opportunity.

Rate of Pay:

€552.68 per 37 hour week/ €332.35 per 22¼ hour week