Sitting outside during a heatwave, well now in my car polluting the world with an AC that can barely keep up. Waiting for my fourth to complete his test for Nassau County lifeguarding. These last two tests (Christopher and Mark) have taken hours. But we are done for this year we now have 3 active fully certified lifeguards and one retired lifeguard. They don't make it easy that's for sure. First the Red Cross class (300.00) Then the Nassau County test (100.00) and inconveniently the Nassau County lifeguard office is open from 9 to 4, which you must go to o schedule the test. And because it is a government office the website was never updated and though it states check and money orders only, it actually credit card only, and due to Covid (summer of 22') no parents are allowed in, so off your teen goes with his inexperienced driving trying to get there by closing and shows up with a check and is kicked out and cannot schedule the test. You need a physical for Nassau County with a eye and hearing exam, and Chris had already aged out of the pediatrician, you can't see a regular doctor for months and a work related physical at urgent care cost 280.00! But the long and annoying journey is done for now and they are out there earning the big bucks now....
So to get my kids certified it cost
1200 for classes
50 for physical (we found an urgent care that didn't bill it as work related)
400.00 in test fees
grand total 1,650.
They earn 17.00 an hour. They will work a little more than 23 hours to earn back the cost of certification. Amazon Fresh starts at 16.75 per hour, no hours training No 20 hour class to attend on your free time. Its really not hard to figure out why there is a lifeguard shortage!
