I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 6 Water Safety Items You Should Pack for the Beach and Pool 'Just in Case'

Travel + Leisure

7 days ago

Before diving into the world of travel writing, I made a living patrolling pool decks. I was 15 when I first got my lifeguarding certification, and I ended up loving the line of work so much that I soon became a lifeguard instructor, and later, a waterpark manager. For seven years, I spent my summers teaching CPR and responding to first aid emergencies. On any given afternoon, I was tasked with ensuring the safety of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people. This experience made me into the safety-conscious traveller I am today, and I still find myself using the knowledge I gained as a lifeguard.
Curious to know what safety tips this former lifeguard has up her sleeve? Keep scrolling for the six products I recommend for staying safe by the pool, at the beach, and on the lake. Here, you'll find water safety items I routinely stock up on every summer, including polarized sunglasses, SPF 50+ products, and water shoes. You'll also find life-saving safety gear—including life jackets, wound-clotting powder, and neon swimsuits—that I think deserve a permanent spot in your beach bag, based on my experiences in the field.
One of the biggest mistakes I see families make—whether at the pool, beach, or lake—is the improper use of inflatables. Arm floaties and baby pool floats may look cute for family photos, but they aren't reliable in terms of keeping non-swimmers above water. They pop easily, and inflating them to the proper limit can be difficult. Plus, it can be tough to know if they have a small leak or whether you've pushed the inflation valve deeply enough to stop the release of air. In fact, my waterpark banned the use of outside inflatables entirely because of how hazardous they can be.
I strongly recommend that non-swimmers and weak swimmers—regardless of age—only use U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved devices. Unlike floaties, USCG-approved life jackets are made with durable, buoyant foam and typically have adjustable straps that allow you to fit the vest more closely around the midsection, preventing the wearer from slipping out of them. Amazon has several different options, ranging from infant life jackets to toddler puddle jumpers to plus-sized adult life vests, all suited for a wide range of activities.
Practicing good water safety starts on land. That includes reading pool rules, putting on appropriate life jackets, checking weather reports for possible lightning storms, and shockingly enough, choosing the right swimsuit color. In the event that you or your loved one needs rescuing at a public pool, on the lake, or at the beach, the color of your swimsuit can determine how quickly first responders can find you.
White, pale blue, gray, and green swimsuits can be some of the hardest swimsuits to spot in a pool, while darker colors, like navy and black, can be difficult to detect in open water. This summer, opt for bright colors and bold prints that are distinguishable in the water. Think: Neon orange, red, yellow, green, pink, and purple. Amazon is a treasure trove of vibrant bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, and swim trunks that are both on-trend and water-safe.
Some of the most serious injuries I encountered while working as a waterpark manager involved patrons slipping and falling by running too quickly across floor tiles or trying to climb up a slippery pool feature. Now, as a former lifeguard who loves soaking up the sun lakeside and at beach destinations, I often see foot-related injuries of the outdoor variety: Slipping on smooth river rocks, foot scrapes caused by coral, and burnt soles due to walking across burning-hot sand.
This summer, I recommend dipping your toes (pun intended) in the world of water shoes, if you haven't already. I personally own these Affinest water shoes from Amazon; they have an adjustable bungee cord lace and thick, treaded outsoles that have kept my feet protected while river rafting, kayaking, and snorkeling. If you prefer to keep your toes free, I recommend investing in a pair of active, anti-slip sandals, like these Teva Hurricane Xlt2 sandals, that you can wear in and out of the water.
There's nothing worse than the first sunburn of the summer, but the good news is, you can avoid it by slathering on plenty of SPF throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is to reach for sunscreen that's water-resistant and has an SPF rating of at least 30, and to reapply it at least every two hours. As a waterpark lifeguard manager, I encouraged my lifeguards to double-check the most commonly-forgotten areas before taking place on the stand, including the tops of their feet, their ears, their shoulders, and even their lips (yes, your lips need SPF, too).
Besides sunscreen, I also recommend stocking up on burn remedy products, too—just in case. This Alocane Max Emergency Burn Gel is suited to treat first-degree burns; it contains lidocaine hydrochloride to provide quick-acting pain and itch relief, benzalkonium chloride to prevent infections, and aloe to soothe irritated skin.
For minor sunburns, though, sometimes a good aloe gel is all you need for relief—for this, I recommend reaching for products that are free of added fragrances and irritating ingredients, like this Badger Organic Aloe Vera Gel, which is safe to use on both the face and body.
Note: Always consult with your doctor before using over-the-counter products.
Sand, sunscreen, chlorine, saltwater, and UV rays: This summer fivesome can leave your eyes itchy, sore, and sensitive. It may seem like a redundant tip, but I recommend stocking up for summer with several pairs of swim goggles and polarized sunglasses. Should you lose your goggles in the Pacific Ocean or accidentally step on your tried-and-true shades while walking, you'll have a backup pair ready to go.
I personally own several pairs of Bircen sunglasses—they're stylish, budget-friendly, and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Plus, they provide UV400 protection against the sun's harmful rays. There are plenty of decent swim goggles on the market, but as a former lifeguard and childhood competitive swimmer, I only buy my goggles from Speedo.
As for removing chlorine, saltwater, sand granules, or even rogue eyelashes from your eyes, any gentle eyewash solution will do the trick. However, thoroughly rinsing your eyes can be difficult if you (or your child) hate using eye drops. For this, I recommend throwing a pressurized eye wash cup into your beach bag. All you have to do is fill it up with your eye wash, lean your open eye over the opening, and squeeze the silicone handle. This will swish the eye wash in and around your eye, thoroughly cleaning it of any debris.
I'm the first to admit that crochet crossbody bags and raffia beach totes are adorable for summer, but these options tend to do diddly squat when it comes to protecting your gear from sand, surf, and exploded bottles of sunscreen. If you won't step foot on the beach without one, I recommend at least throwing a waterproof pouch or toiletry bag inside to protect your phone, medications, SPF products, and other essentials from the elements.
Personally, I hate the idea of getting anything I own wet, whether it's my towel, snacks, or beach reads. Waterproof dry bags are the way to go if you're a lover of water activities—they're durable, roomy, and actually waterproof, making them great companions near any water source.
As for what goes inside that bag, I recommend investing in a quality, compact first aid kit. I love this option from M2 Basics. It fits into the palm of your hand and comes with multiple types of bandages and wound dressings—but unlike some other small first aid kits, it also comes with an emergency blanket to fight off water-induced hypothermia, a CPR face mask, and a tourniquet to stop heavy blood flow. Speaking of blood flow, I also recommend throwing a pack of BleedStop into your first aid kit, just in case. Water exposure can make it incredibly difficult for wounds to naturally form a blood clot, and this powder can help in an emergency.
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