Two Tobey Pond lifeguards share their perspective

By Jude Mead

A new generation of lifeguards has stepped up to the challenge of keeping swimmers safe at Tobey Pond this summer. Youth lifeguards often balance school, family, social activities and summer jobs to take on the critical responsibilities of safeguarding the beach. Their dedication, training, and leadership not only ensure public safety, but also help to build valuable life skills that extend far beyond the water’s edge. Lydia Beers, the 21-year-old head lifeguard at Tobey Pond, and Braylen D’Amore, a 16- year-old, second-year lifeguard there, share their experiences here in hopes of inspiring other young people to become lifeguards.

Name and age: Lydia Beers is 21 years old and serves as the head lifeguard at Tobey Pond.

What inspired you to become a lifeguard?
I had been going to Tobey as a kid and wanted to have a job where I could be there and get paid! I also actually wanted to be a lifeguard when I was little. 

How long have you been working as a lifeguard, and where did you get your certification?
I have been at Tobey for six summers. I got my certification during Covid, so there were just two of us getting certified and we did it at Tobey with a private instructor. 

What are the responsibilities and training needed as head lifeguard?
As the head lifeguard, I manage the Tobey Pond Instagram and Facebook accounts, I help determine the supplies we need for the year, I run drills for the lifeguards and general leadership stuff. As for training, there is nothing specific. It is typically based on experience. I worked at Tobey for three years before becoming head guard. 

What kind of training or drills do you personally do regularly to stay prepared? 
We swim regularly, practice saves and go over situations. We also have to get recertified every two years. I also run college track and field, so I count doing lifting and summer training for that as some conditioning. 

What’s the most rewarding part for you of being a lifeguard? What’s the most difficult part of your job? 
The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with patrons and hearing about how much they enjoy the pond. The most difficult part of my job is when patrons don’t listen or understand that rules are in place to keep them safe. P.S. Listen to lifeguards and don’t push on the dock!

Has there ever been a situation or emergency that you had to deal with or be part of that you can share? 
Luckily, we don’t have many situations at Tobey. I like to think that this is in part because of the safety rules we have. But we have had a fair share of injuries.

Do you see yourself continuing in lifeguarding or pursuing a related field (like EMS, firefighting, marine biology, etc.)? 
No, I am going into structural engineering. 

Anything else you would like to add? 
Come to Tobey Day on August 16th! 

Name and age:  Braylen D’Amore is a 16-year-old, second-year lifeguard at Tobey Pond. 

What inspired you to become a lifeguard?
Since a young age I was always in the water. This prepared me to join the Northwestern Regional swim team. There, I learned the logistics of all the different strokes and how to swim competitively. As a result, I thought it would be a great idea to become a lifeguard. It allows me to enjoy the beautiful outdoor weather in the summertime, while also giving back to the community. 

How long have you been working as a lifeguard, and where did you get your certification?
I took a lifeguard course in Wolcott, Conn., and soon after, I scored a job at Tobey Pond. It is just an amazing job. I love watching and assisting all the people who come to Tobey, from the kids at NELC to the regular evening lap swimmers. 

What kind of training or drills do you personally do regularly to stay prepared?
I try to keep my skills up by practicing with the with other lifeguards in our monthly sessions. I also practice my techniques in my pool.

What’s the most rewarding part for you of being a lifeguard? What’s the most difficult part of your job? 
Giving people a sense of security and safety is the most rewarding part – just being there to help in case of an emergency.

I also enjoy talking with the community and establishing relationships. After two years working there, I know most of the regular Tobey go-ers. The people I talk to on the beach are very friendly, always wanting to know what we are up to as teenagers and our plans for the future.

The most difficult part of being a lifeguard is the responsibility. While it may appear that the lifeguards relax at the beach all day, this job does come with a lot of stress and leadership. If there is an emergency, we are the ones that have to step in and take the initiative to assist the people or even save their lives. That alone is a huge responsibility, especially for a teenager. But I do feel confident in my skills and knowledge to take care of a life-or-death situation at the beach. 

Has there ever been a situation or emergency that you had to deal with or be part of that you can share? 
Thankfully the whole time I have been at Tobey there have been no major emergencies, aside from the typical bumps and bruises.

Do you see yourself continuing in lifeguarding or pursuing a related field (like EMS, firefighting, marine biology, etc.)? 
I see myself pursuing a similar career in the health profession where I can continue to help people. 
Anything else you would like to add? Overall, I strive to inspire many teenagers to consider becoming a lifeguard to gain valuable experience in a rewarding social environment.