North Myrtle Beach is starving for lifeguards with 40% of positions unfilled
The North Myrtle Beach Ocean Rescue team is at 60% staffing right now, so they are looking to hire some more lifeguards to work this summer.
“The big thing is they just have to be strong swimmers. They have to be able to swim 500 meters in 10 minutes,” Beach Patrol Supervisor Monty Reed said. “We are certified through the United States Lifesaving Association, so we have to follow all their standards and we actually go above and beyond their standards.”
Reed said that starting pay for lifeguards is $15 per hour and that lifeguards have the potential to earn an additional $700 if they work a minimum of 65 days and a holiday weekend.
“We have our last academy starting on June 5. That lasts seven days. We pay for all of their training and all their certifications and they are paid for training,” Reed said. “During the seven-day Lifeguard Academy, they’re gonna learn everything they need to know about CPR. They’re going to learn about oxygen administration. They’re going to learn about first aid. We get into some advanced first aid skills. They’re also going to learn about spinal injury management and then they’ll learn the different techniques we utilize in an open water rescue.”
Reed said that trainees will also learn about how to navigate rip currents and aquatic hazards such as jelly fish and stingrays.
“They’re also going to learn how to perform a rescue on a watercraft. They have learned how to perform pier rescues and a few other things, but that’s the majority of it,” Reed said.
Interested swimmers can apply online or contact Reed at 843-281-3825.
