Swimming became very popular in the late 1800's. So as it contnued to grow in popularity many people drowned each year in the U.S. Approxmiately 9,000 people each year in the early 1900s. At first eager businessmen installed lifelines. But struggling swimmers weren't able to grab them. Some communities assigned police officers to perform water rescues, but eventually, municipalities began to hire men and women trained specifically for water rescue. They were deemed "lifeguards." In 1914 Former journalist Wilbert E Longfellow helped start Red Cross water safety instruction and the Red Cross Life Saving Corps to combat the climbing number of drownings. He organized local volunteers into lifesaving corps. (DeAnza College,History of Lifesaving)
Then lifeguards started getting trained by associations like the YMCA. Propaganda started appearing, comparing lifeguarding jobs and fast food jobs. Over time, tools were developed to help assist lifeguards; original methods typically refrained from going to the swimmer. Things like the rescue buoy, rescue tube, and rescue board help lifeguards do their jobs. Now, rescuers have access to personal watercraft and even scuba equipment for deep water rescues. Throughout the years, lifeguarding has ultimately been seen as more important.
Wendt, Dylan. "History of Lifeguarding." Prezi.com. N.p., 2014. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.