Lifeguards: 2025 Season

Being an RNLI lifeguard puts you at the front line of lifesaving. Our presence can mean the difference between a great day at the beach and a tragedy. At full capacity we cover more than 240 beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands. As a lifeguard you will help people stay safe while they enjoy the beach. You will also share practical safety advice with beach goers to help prevent incidents before they happen and physically rescue anyone who does get into trouble. 

At times challenging and always rewarding, no two days are the same, so you’ll need to be focused, vigilant and proactive. But more than that, we’re looking for approachable lifeguards who enjoy meeting people and helping them stay safe.

The job varies depending on where you're working. From busy resort beaches to semi-rural surf beaches, every beach has its own characteristics and challenges. Lifeguards can operate from static lifeguard units or with patrols. Rescue boards and tubes are most commonly used but, depending on the beach, lifeguards also use quad bikes, four-wheel drives, rescue watercrafts (RWCs or ‘jet skis’), and surf rescue boats.

There are four different levels of lifeguard, from newly qualified right through to senior lifeguard. We’ll provide you with excellent training opportunities to help you progress as you gain experience. At all levels, you’ll learn valuable skills for your future career, at the RNLI or elsewhere.

If you are qualified and have a passion for helping others through education and rescue, we’d love to have you on our team. 

And if you don't currently have a recognised beach lifeguard qualification, and you’d like more details on the requirements and how to obtain one, please head to the Requirements and Training section of our website for more details.

The Details

All our lifeguards need to be over school leaving age. If you’re under 18 years old, we welcome your interest, just bear in mind a couple of things when it comes to applying: you will need to have parental permission and some locations have fewer posts available to under-18s because of our safeguarding commitment.

To apply to be a lifeguard with us, you’ll need to hold a valid International Life Saving Federation (ILS) recognised beach lifeguard qualification and, as the job can be physically demanding, you’ll have to pass a fitness and competency test. We’re looking for lifeguards who are professional, with excellent rescue and people skills. For equivalent overseas qualifications, please see the ILS equivalency tables for your local beach or surf lifeguard equivalent.

All our lifeguards also have to pass health and eyesight checks.

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Rigorous checks will be undertaken of the successful applicant’s background credentials including an enhanced DBS check.  Suitability to work with children may be explored at interview.

If you are interested in joining us as a Beach Lifeguard for the 2025 season, please click ‘Apply now’ to submit your contact details. We will then contact you at the end of 2024, to let you know that we have opened applications for the 2025 season, and invite you to complete and submit a full application for a Lifeguard role with us.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; ensuring the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.  We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero tolerance approach to proven incidents of bullying, abuse, harassment  or exploitation.  The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for nearly 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.