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Lifeguard and swimming teacher resume example

A maître-nageur sauveteur (MNS) in France does two jobs at once: watching over the water and teaching people to swim.

A typical day at a municipal pool starts with checking rescue equipment and water readings, then alternates between a shift on the lifeguard chair and lessons on the side of the pool: school classes in the morning (swimming is part of the French primary curriculum), aquagym or aquabike for adults at lunchtime, baby swimming or learn-to-swim groups after school. You enforce the pool rules, step in when a swimmer gets into difficulty and give first aid until emergency services arrive. Weekends, school holidays and evenings are often your busiest time, and many MNS spend the summer on supervised beaches or at holiday camps.

Resume example

[First name Last name]

Maître-nageur sauveteur (BPJEPS AAN) | Pool Safety, Learn-to-Swim, Aquafitness

[City] · [phone] · [email]

Profile

Maître-nageur sauveteur with [x] years in municipal and private aquatic centres. I run learn-to-swim programmes for children and adults, lead aquagym and aquabike sessions, and take my turn as safety lead for the pool's emergency plan (POSS).

Experience

Maître-nageur sauveteur, municipal aquatic centre, [City]

[month year] to present

  • Supervised the main pool and children's pool on a rotating schedule with [x] colleagues
  • Taught swimming to [x] primary school classes per week alongside their teachers
  • Led aquagym and aquabike sessions for adults, adapting exercises for older participants
  • Ran learn-to-swim courses for adults afraid of deep water
  • Took part in the yearly rescue drills set out in the pool safety plan

Resume headlines

  • Maître-nageur sauveteur (BPJEPS AAN) | Pool Safety, Learn-to-Swim, Aquafitness
  • Lifeguard and Swimming Teacher | School Swimming Classes and Baby Swimming
  • MNS with BNSSA and PSE1 | Municipal Pools and Summer Beach Posts

Summaries for your profile

Entry level

Newly qualified maître-nageur sauveteur (BPJEPS Activités aquatiques et de la natation) with my CAEPMNS up to date. During my training I taught school classes and adult beginners at the [City] pool and covered summer supervision posts with my BNSSA.

Experienced

Maître-nageur sauveteur with [x] years in municipal and private aquatic centres. I run learn-to-swim programmes for children and adults, lead aquagym and aquabike sessions, and take my turn as safety lead for the pool's emergency plan (POSS).

Career change

Former club swimmer and swimming coach volunteer, now qualified MNS after a BPJEPS AAN in apprenticeship. I bring years of poolside experience with competitive swimmers and want to work with a wider public, from school pupils to older adults.

Tips

  • Put your diplomas at the top with their dates: BPJEPS AAN, CAEPMNS renewal, BNSSA, PSE1. Recruiters check them first.
  • Mention the publics you have taught (school pupils, babies, seniors, people with disabilities), since each pool sells different activities.
  • List the aquafitness formats you can lead, such as aquagym, aquabike, aquatraining or prenatal swimming.
  • Say whether you are available for weekends, evenings and summer seasons. Pools plan their staffing around this.
  • If you have worked on a beach or in a holiday camp, write the exact type of post and the season.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Writing 'lifeguard' without stating whether you hold the BPJEPS AAN or only the BNSSA, which give very different rights in France.
  • Leaving out the date of your last CAEPMNS or first aid refresher.
  • Listing your own competition results while saying nothing about your teaching.
  • Forgetting the carte professionnelle d'éducateur sportif when you already have one.

Working as a lifeguard and swimming teacher in France

In France, teaching swimming for pay and using the title maître-nageur sauveteur are regulated. You need the BPJEPS spécialité éducateur sportif mention Activités aquatiques et de la natation (or another diploma listed in the Code du sport), a CAEPMNS renewed every five years and a carte professionnelle d'éducateur sportif. The BNSSA alone covers supervision only. Foreign qualifications must be recognised by the French sports administration before you can work. Search for 'maître-nageur sauveteur', 'MNS', 'éducateur sportif activités aquatiques' or, for supervision only, 'surveillant de baignade BNSSA'. Many pools belong to municipalities, which also recruit through the ETAPS civil service grade.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I work as an MNS with only the BNSSA?

The BNSSA lets you supervise bathing areas, for example on beaches or in pools under certain conditions, but it does not allow you to teach swimming for pay. To teach and use the MNS title you need the BPJEPS Activités aquatiques et de la natation or an equivalent diploma, plus a valid CAEPMNS.

Should I include my competitive swimming background?

Yes, briefly. It shows technical skill and comfort in the water, and clubs value it. Keep it to one line with your level and club, then spend the space on what you have taught and supervised, because pools hire you for safety and teaching.

How do I present summer beach jobs?

List them as separate experiences with the municipality or organisation, the beach or post, the season and your role (sauveteur, chef de poste). Mention rescue situations in general terms and any work with the SNSM or fire services if that applied.

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