#1
Cause of death for kids ages 1–4
Drowning kills more young children in the U.S. than anything else, according to the CDC. Most of those drownings happen in home pools.
Source: CDC
On duty · LA County · Ventura · South Bay · OC
Hire a reallifeguardfor your party.
Certified pros watching the water so you can actually enjoy your pool party, kid's birthday, wedding or event. Every guard is hand-picked by working lifeguards.
- Lifeguard + CPR/AED certified
- Vetted by lifeguards
- Reply within 24 hours
Tower logTWR-01
- Status
- On duty
- Coverage
- LA · VEN · SB · OC
- Ratio
- 1 guard / 25 swimmers
- Certs
- CPR · AED · 1st aid
- Pool parties✦
- Kids' birthdays✦
- Weddings✦
- Quinceañeras✦
- Graduations✦
- Corporate events✦
- HOA pools✦
- Film & TV shoots✦
- Beach days✦
- Lake days✦
- Swim lessons✦
- Airbnb pools✦
- Pool parties✦
- Kids' birthdays✦
- Weddings✦
- Quinceañeras✦
- Graduations✦
- Corporate events✦
- HOA pools✦
- Film & TV shoots✦
- Beach days✦
- Lake days✦
- Swim lessons✦
- Airbnb pools✦
- Pool parties
- Kids' birthdays
- Weddings
- Quinceañeras
- Graduations
- Corporate events
- HOA pools
- Film & TV shoots
- Beach days
- Lake days
- Swim lessons
- Airbnb pools
- Pool parties
- Kids' birthdays
- Weddings
- Quinceañeras
- Graduations
- Corporate events
- HOA pools
- Film & TV shoots
- Beach days
- Lake days
- Swim lessons
- Airbnb pools
01Why a lifeguard
Drowning is fast and silent. Parties are loud.
Pool parties are the best part of an LA summer, and the easiest place for a kid to slip under unnoticed. A trained lifeguard is the difference between “everyone was watching” and someone actually watching.
“Your guests should be in the pool. Not guarding it.”
- Seconds
Not minutes
Real drowning rarely looks like the movies. There's no splashing and no yelling. A swimmer can slip under quietly while the party carries on around them.
- 1 job
Watch the water
At a party, every grown-up assumes someone else has eyes on the pool. A lifeguard has exactly one job. No grill, no phone, no small talk.
02How it works
From request to whistle in four steps.
No apps, no accounts, no endless back-and-forth. Just tell us about the party and a real person handles the rest.
- 01
Tell us about your event
Two minutes: date, pool, number of swimmers, ages. We'll recommend how many guards you need.
- 02
We match your guard
We hand-pick certified lifeguards from our crew who live near you and fit your event.
- 03
Confirm & relax
Within 24 hours you'll hear back with your guard, a final quote and a secure deposit link. That locks it in.
- 04
Whistle on, eyes on the water
Your guard shows up early, walks the deck, sets the rules, and stays locked in until the last swimmer is out.
03What we guard
If there's water and a crowd, we've got the deck.
- Most popular
Kids' birthday parties
Our most-booked event. A dozen excited kids and one pool. Parents get to actually enjoy the cake.
Book this → Backyard pool parties
Summer kickoffs, Fourth of July, graduations, family reunions. Any day the pool's open and the crowd's big.
Book this →Weddings & private events
Estate pools, venues and rehearsal dinners. Discreet, uniformed and quietly on point while your guests celebrate.
Book this →Corporate, HOA & clubs
Company parties, HOA pool days, club and community pools. One guard or a full rotation for big days.
Book this →Film, TV & photo shoots
Water-safety guards for pool and ocean shoots. On set, out of frame, and ready to go in.
Book this →Beach & lake days
Private beach parties, camps and lake outings. Open-water trained guards, always at least two.
Book this →Airbnb & vacation rentals
Hosting a group at a rental with a pool? Bring a guard for peace of mind (and a happy host).
Book this →Swim lessons
Add a lesson before the party, or book certified instructors from our crew for one-on-one sessions.
Book this →
04The crew
Not a babysitter with a whistle. Real lifeguards.
Our crew comes from the beaches and pools of Southern California: ocean lifeguards, state and city guards, and experienced pool guards. If they wouldn't make the cut on the sand, they don't make it on your deck.
Currently certified
Ocean, State Parks, or Red Cross / Ellis pool lifeguard certification. Current, not expired.
CPR/AED + First Aid
Professional-rescuer level CPR/AED and First Aid, the same standard public agencies require.
Hand-picked
Every guard is personally vetted by working lifeguards. If we wouldn't trust them with our own family, they're not on the crew.
Brings the gear
Rescue tube, whistle, first-aid kit and CPR pocket mask. Nothing for you to rent.
In uniform
Lifeguard reds and a whistle, so every guest (and every kid) knows exactly who's on duty.
Phone down
No scrolling, no side conversations. Eyes on the water for the entire shift.
On-duty checklist
What your guard does
- 01Arrives early and walks the deck: depth markings, drains, gates, hazards
- 02Sets up the rescue tube and first-aid kit, and finds the nearest phone & exits
- 03Quick briefing with you: pool rules, shallow-end zone for little ones
- 04Active scanning the whole shift, with extra eyes on weak swimmers
- 05Enforces simple rules: no running, no diving in the shallow end, no breath-holding games
- 06Stays until the last swimmer is out and the gate is closed
05Instant estimate
Know your number in ten seconds.
Slide in your crowd. We'll do the lifeguard math and show you what it'll run. No phone call needed.
Every guard brings
- Rescue tube
- First-aid kit
- CPR mask
- Whistle
- Uniform
Recommended
2 guards
1 guard per 15 swimmers in a pool · Tighter ratio for kids under 5
Estimated total
$520
2 × 4 hrs × $65/hr
Book with these details
Nothing is charged when you send a request.
- $65/hr per lifeguard, 3-hour minimum
- +$40 per guard travel for extended areas (OC, IE, SB, AV)
- 1.25× on July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day & NYE
- 50% deposit once your guard is confirmed, tips in cash
06Service area
Santa Barbara to San Clemente. And everywhere in between.
Our crew lives up and down the coast and across the valleys, so there's almost always a guard near you. All of LA County, Ventura County and the South Bay, plus anywhere within about 90 minutes.
Core area: no travel fee Extended: +$40/guard
LifeguardCrew
Crew
The Red Can crew
Ocean · Pool · Open water
07From the tower
Run by lifeguards, so you get the lifeguard you'd want.
We watch water for a living. We know how quickly a normal afternoon turns serious, and how much it matters to have someone trained, focused and ready.
Red Can Lifeguards puts the guards we've worked alongside on your pool deck. Every one of them is personally vetted, and we'd trust any of them with our own families.
The Red Can crew
08FAQ
Questions from the pool deck.
Something we didn't cover? Text us and you'll get a real lifeguard on the other end.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can. Summer weekends (especially Memorial Day through Labor Day) fill up fast, so two or more weeks out is ideal. We always try for last-minute requests too. For anything in the next 48 hours, send the form and then text us.
How many lifeguards do I need?
Our general guideline is one guard for every 25 swimmers in a pool, and one per 15 when there are kids under 5, weak swimmers or alcohol involved. Open water (beach or lake) always gets at least two. The booking form does the math for you, and we confirm it when we review your event.
Who are your lifeguards?
Every guard is personally vetted by working lifeguards. The crew includes ocean, state and city lifeguards plus experienced pool guards. All hold current lifeguard certification, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, and First Aid.
How much does it cost?
$65 per hour, per lifeguard, with a 3-hour minimum. Extended areas (Orange County, the Inland Empire, Santa Barbara and the Antelope Valley) add a $40 travel fee per guard, and major holidays are billed at 1.25×. You'll get an exact quote before anything is booked.
Will the lifeguard watch my kids or play games?
Their one job is watching the water, and that's the whole point. They won't babysit, serve food or jump in the games, because a guard who's distracted isn't guarding. Want swim lessons? Add them to your request and we'll send a certified instructor.
What does the lifeguard bring?
A rescue tube, whistle, first-aid kit and CPR pocket mask, plus their own sun protection and water. They arrive in uniform so every guest knows who's on duty. All you need is a chair and some shade by the pool.
Can I book a lifeguard at the beach?
Yes: private beach parties, beach weddings, film shoots, camps and lake days. Public beaches in LA County are already patrolled by county lifeguards during posted hours. Our guards add dedicated coverage just for your group. Some beaches require a permit for private events, so check with the beach operator.
How do I pay?
Nothing is charged when you send a request. Once your lifeguard is confirmed, we'll text you a secure Stripe link for a 50% deposit to lock in your booking. The balance is due 48 hours before your event. Payments are processed securely by Stripe, so we never see your card number.
Should I tip my lifeguard?
Tips are never expected but always appreciated. Cash on the day goes 100% to your lifeguard.
What if I need to cancel or it rains?
Cancel 72+ hours before your event for a full refund. Inside 72 hours the deposit is non-refundable, since your guard has held the date for you. If weather makes the water unsafe, we'll reschedule at no charge.
Do you cover HOA pools, hotels and Airbnbs?
Yes. We cover community and HOA pools, hotel and venue pools, and vacation rentals. If your venue has specific staffing requirements, tell us in the notes.
Is Red Can Lifeguards part of a city or county lifeguard agency?
No. Red Can Lifeguards is an independent private company and isn't affiliated with any government agency or public lifeguard service.
Summer books up fast