LIVING

LIFEGUARD

The shift starts at 11am and Flores and the five others on duty work until 7pm. The first task of the day is to check the condition of the sea and set out the corresponding flag, then the team split up and head for the watchtowers to begin look out. Most of their job is prevention, making sure people don’t get into danger. “The job is more satisfying when we are busy. It sounds strange, obviously we don’t like seeing people injured, but a lot of the job satisfaction comes from attending people.”

Thankfully, the typical day isn’t all about mouth-to-mouth situations, and mainly means attending to people with first-aid needs. The rise in the number of jellyfish stings means more beach-goers require the services of a lifeguard’s medical skills.

Many of the summer lifeguards are from South America, and Flores said it’s a job that many come over to do just for the summer then return home. He, too, had planned to return to Argentina after one season but instead stayed, working in a covered pool during the winter; five years on and with a baby on the way, it looks like he is here to stay for many more hot summer months looking after us as we take to the beaches.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Working in August has become second nature to Samantha Serrano, 27, who is a flight attendant for Barcelona-based Vueling airline. Born in Ibiza, she lived in Holland for six years and then returned to Barcelona in 2006. Serrano has always loved travelling and has turned her globe-trotting into a career.

In August, she sometimes works 13-hour days, flying a mixture of international and national flights during her shifts. There are many more flights in the schedule and the planes are always full—packed with holiday-makers going to or returning from their two-week respites in the sun.

At other times of the year, the El Prat airport is often hectic during peak hours, but in August it’s that way all day, everyday. However, Serrano said she thrives on the atmosphere of the season and looks forward to the summer and the work it brings. “We have a lot of children on board and the passengers tend to be relaxed because they are going on their holidays.”