There's a ton of issues with lifeguard credentials nowadays: a) There is a huge demand for lifeguards so people who would normally not make it will be given a pass, standards in some places were raised to combat this but a lot of people still get way too much slack, some examiners also rarely fail people even if they don't make the physical requirements (which can get them criminal charges if someone they certify can't respond in an emergency) b) Pool managers can re-certify their own employees, it's a lot easier to recert someone than to find a new guard and they aren't obligated to bring in a neutral party to avoid conflicts of interest c) A lot of Lifeguards don't do any training between the time they are certified and the time they need to re-certify (some don't ever train because they know the bars set pretty low for some examiners) so a few months after they get their NLS, which lasts for 2 years, they are out of shape d) People with lower qualifications like bronze cross or even bronze med are sometimes given Lifeguard jobs (even though they should not be) Stuff like this is why I stopped Lifeguarding, a handful of people would take it seriously and understand that fitness is an important part of it ( especially when you work at a waterfront, where swimming a long distance or diving deep into the water is a part of your job) and the rest would be lazy slobs who you could not count on for shit. All of the responsibility fell on the few fit guards which was like 5 out of a 30 guard team.