Limping Chicken: ‘Swimming with deafness – and becoming a lifeguard!’

Me, a Deaf Pool Lifeguard in my yellow Lifeguard tshirt standing on poolside with the swimming pool behind me

Hello,

This topic I’ve noticed is always a popular read, particularly as there’s a misconception that deaf people can’t swim… of course they can! I was once a qualified lifeguard!

‘I’m deaf and I love swimming! There’s something about taking my hearing aids out and swimming – the sense of tranquillity, peace and my own thoughts, away from the hustle and bustle of the noisy hearing world…

It might surprise some people but I was once a qualified lifeguard! It is possible for a deaf person to do this job, as it’s all about visual receptive skills watching out for hazards and people’s reactions when swimming… but more on that later!’