Benefits of being an RNLI beach lifeguard

What are the benefits of becoming an RNLI beach lifeguard?

You’ll be paid to work on the beach, in an active role with a team of like-minded people. Your work will make a real difference, keeping people safe every day, as part of a highly respected organisation. The seasonal nature of the role fits in with study, travel or other commitments. And the skills you’ll learn and develop will be useful whatever your chosen career path.

How much do RNLI beach lifeguards get paid?

You'll earn a salary as an RNLI beach lifeguard which, depending on your role, can range from £13.45 to £15.15 per hour.

Being an RNLI beach lifeguard is a job like no other

How many people can say they spend their summer saving lives? As an RNLI beach lifeguard, you'll be responsible for keeping the tens of thousands of people who visit the coast each year safe, so they can focus on having fun in the sun.

Here are some other key benefits of working as a lifeguard.

Work outdoors

If you love being outside, then being an RNLI lifeguard is the perfect role. While we cannot guarantee you'll have clear skies and sunny days at all times, you'll always be out in the fresh air as you carry out your patrols.

Lifeguarding is a physically active role, whether that's patrolling the sand, heading into the water to share advice, or racing to save someone's life. It's a great job to help keep you in shape.

World class training

RNLI training is second-to-none and the courses you take during your time as a lifeguard will provide skills and knowledge that you can take into your future career, whatever that may be. Casualty care training will teach you how to respond to a variety of injuries and accidents, from minor scrapes to cardiac arrests.

Operational and leadership courses will teach you how to manage potentially stressful situations, encouraging clear communication and crisis-management. While the powered rescue-craft courses will give you confidence on the water on a range of cool equipment.

Find out more about lifeguard training.

Lifeguard around the world

Many RNLI beach lifeguards will take their skills abroad during the off season. Australia and New Zealand are popular destinations for our lifeguards, as their summer season takes place during the UK and Ireland's winter. Not only does this allow you to broaden your horizons, it keeps you fit and operationally ready for when the time comes to return from your travels and hit the beaches back home.

Saving lives

The impact you have on the people you lifeguard cannot be undersold. The preventative actions and interventions you carry out will keep thousands of people safe who might not even be aware of how close to danger they were. And if you do rescue someone, you're not just saving a life. You're keeping families together, ensuring someone is returned to their loved one who might have been lost if it weren't for your actions. There's no better feeling than knowing you've saved a life.