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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 10Ch. 5Art. 5§ 116028 Lifeguard Service Definition

§ 116028 Lifeguard Service Definition

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 116028 Lifeguard Service Definition

Key Takeaways

  • •Lifeguards must always be at public pools when people are swimming.
  • •Lifeguards need special training, like from the Red Cross or YMCA, and must know first aid and CPR.
  • •Lifeguards can't do other jobs while watching the pool—their only job is to keep swimmers safe.
  • •If lifeguards are teaching swimming or coaching, they still count as lifeguard service, but only if no one else is in the pool unless those people have their own lifeguard.

Example

A city pool is open for the summer, and kids are swimming.

The pool must have lifeguards with proper training watching the kids at all times. The lifeguards can't also be cleaning the pool or selling snacks—they have to focus only on keeping the swimmers safe. If a lifeguard is giving swimming lessons, they still count as the lifeguard for that area, but if other people are swimming in a different part of the pool, those people need their own lifeguard too.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 116028 Lifeguard Service Definition

Except as provided in Section 116033, “lifeguard service,” as used in this article, means the attendance at a public swimming pool, during periods of use, of one or more lifeguards who possess, as minimum qualifications, current certificates from an American Red Cross or YMCA of the U.S.A. lifeguard training program, or have equivalent qualifications, as determined by the department, and who are trained to administer first aid, including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation in conformance with Section 123725 and the regulations adopted thereunder, and who have no duties to perform other than to supervise the safety of participants in water-contact activities. “Lifeguard services” includes the supervision of the safety of participants in water-contact activities by lifeguards who are providing swimming lessons, coaching or overseeing water-contact sports, or providing water safety instructions to participants when no other persons are using the facilities unless those persons are supervised by separate lifeguard services. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 273, Sec. 1. (AB 1672) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

lifeguard servicepublic swimming poolAmerican Red CrossYMCA of the U.S.A.cardiovascular resuscitation

Related Statutes

  • § 116038 Pool Plan Filing Requirement
  • § 116040 Public Swimming Pool Safety
  • § 116043 Public Swimming Pool Safety
  • § 116055 Pool Inspection Authority
  • § 116060 Public Pool Health Nuisance

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 116028.
View Official Source