How to Become a Lifeguard in Greece – Training, Requirements & Career Options

When you visit beaches, lakes, pools, or waterparks, you’ll often find lifeguards on duty ensuring the safety of swimmers. Their role is to prevent accidents and respond in emergencies, which is why specialized training is essential. Lifeguard training in Greece provides the foundation for individuals who want to protect others in aquatic environments.

Greece is renowned for its stunning beaches and strong swimming culture. With a coastline stretching over 13,600 kilometers – the longest in the Mediterranean – the country offers thousands of seaside resorts and beaches where swimming is a way of life. Beyond the coast, Greece also has lakes, waterparks, and many swimming pools that attract both locals and millions of tourists every year. These aquatic destinations require trained lifeguards to ensure safety. With heavy visitor activity, especially during the summer, lifeguards are in high demand across the country, making this an essential and respected profession.

Lifeguard Training in Greece

In Greece, lifeguards serve at beaches, swimming pools, lakes, and waterparks to safeguard swimmers. For anyone considering a role in this field, ALA lifeguard training in Greece is the first step toward building a strong career.

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) operates training centers across Greece, offering a variety of certification programs. While most training sessions are busiest in the summer, opportunities continue throughout the year thanks to indoor aquatic facilities and year-round water activities.

With over 30 years of experience, ALA has trained lifeguards serving communities worldwide. Earning an ALA certification provides recognition and credibility with employers throughout Greece and abroad.

About the American Lifeguard Association

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is supported by Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to aquatic safety.

ALA’s mission is to reduce drownings and make beaches, pools, and waterways safer. The association collaborates directly with employers to maintain high standards for aquatic safety.

ALA has been referenced by public health and safety organizations, including:

• CDC Healthy Swimming Program

• U.S. Department of Labor

• Listed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

• Ensuring Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA compliance since the early 1990s

In addition, ALA training reflects ECC science, the Greece Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition Report. It requires adherence to the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) for pre-service and in-service training.

Would you like to read about: Lifeguard training in Turkey

Requirements for Lifeguard Training in Greece

To enroll in the American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training course in Greece, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Age requirement:

  • 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, waterpark, or lake

  • 16 years or older to work at a beach or waterfront facility

• Prerequisite swim skills:

  • Swim 300 yards continuously:

    • 100 yards of front crawl with rhythmic breathing

    • 100 yards of breaststroke with pull, breath, kick, and glide

    • 100 yards of front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination

  • Complete a timed event (within 1 minute, 40 seconds):

    • Start in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke

    • Surface dive 7–10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object

    • Return 20 yards with the object

    • Exit the water without a ladder or steps

Upon completion, participants receive an ALA Lifeguard Certificate in:

• Lifeguarding

• CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

• First Aid
  (valid for two years)

Lifeguarding in Greece: Long-Term Career Options

While lifeguarding is often thought of as a seasonal job for students, it can also develop into a long-term career. Indoor pools and aquatic centers across Greece employ lifeguards year-round.

With additional training, lifeguards can advance into roles such as:

• Water Safety Instructor

• Swim Coach

• Aquatic Supervisor or Manager

These positions offer higher pay, leadership responsibilities, and long-term opportunities in the field of aquatic safety.

Learning skills with lifeguard training in Greece

Lifeguarding Course Participants at the American Lifeguard Association will learn:

Rescue Skills

• Slide-In Entry
• Stride and Compact Jumps
• Rescue Approach-Front Crawl or Breaststroke
• Simple Assist
• Extension Assist from the Deck
• Reaching Assist with Equipment and Throwing Assist
• Swimming Extension Rescue
• Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rear Rescue
• Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard
• Passive Submerged Victim-Shallow Water
• Multiple-Victim Rescue
• Feet-First Surface Dive
• Submerged Victim-Deep Water
• Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape

Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injury Skills

• Manual In-Line Stabilization for a Head, Neck, or Back Injury on Land- Lying Down, Sitting, or Standing
• Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Dow Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head and Chin Support-Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head and Chin Support-Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
• Head Splint Technique-Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
• Head and Chin Support-Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
• In-Line Stabilization for a Submerged Victim-Face-Up, Face-Down, or on One Side in Deep Water
• Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water

 CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills

• Removing Gloves
• Initial Assessment
• Rescue Breathing-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator-Two Rescuers
• Conscious Choking-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Unconscious Choking-Adult, Child, and Infant
• CPR-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Two-Rescuer CPR-Adult, Child, and Infant
• Using an AED-Adult and Child

First Aid Skills

• Secondary Assessment
• Controlling External Bleeding
• Applying a Sling and Binder
• Applying an Anatomic Splint
• Applying a Soft Splint

Final Skill Scenarios to be Demonstrated

• Final Skill Scenario 1-Active Drowning Victim
• Final Skill Scenario 2-Submerged Passive Drowning Victim
• Final Skill Scenario 3-Head, Neck, or Back Injury.

Famous Beaches in Greece Where Lifeguards Are Essential

Greece is home to some of the world’s most iconic beaches, many of which attract thousands of swimmers each year and require professional lifeguard services:

• Navagio Beach (Zakynthos): Accessible only by boat, with the famous shipwreck and turquoise waters.

• Elafonisi Beach (Crete): Known for pink-tinted sands and shallow lagoon waters.

• Myrtos Beach (Kefalonia): Surrounded by dramatic white cliffs and bright blue seas.

• Sarakiniko Beach (Milos): Features striking white volcanic rock formations resembling a lunar landscape.

• Red Beach (Santorini): Famous for its unique red volcanic cliffs and sand.

• Porto Katsiki (Lefkada): A spectacular cliff-backed beach popular with visitors.

• Balos Beach and Lagoon (Crete): A natural lagoon with turquoise waters and white sands.

• Agios Prokopios Beach (Naxos): A family-friendly beach with calm, clear waters.

• Lalaria Beach (Skiathos): Noted for its pebbles and unique rock arch.

• Paradise Beach (Mykonos): Renowned for its lively beach bar scene and summer parties.

Last Wave

The role of a lifeguard is to ensure the safety of swimmers in pools, lakes, and open water. In Greece, with its vast coastline and world-famous beaches, lifeguards are an essential part of the aquatic experience.

The American Lifeguard Association, with more than 30 years of expertise, provides internationally recognized certification that prepares individuals for rewarding lifeguard careers.

If you are searching for “lifeguard training near me” in Greece, the American Lifeguard Association is your trusted choice for certification and training.