Beverley East Contributor

Lifeguard Odel Miller

I wish I could turn off my mind when I'm out and about, but I am always people-watching. Watching how people interact and how they do their jobs.

Are they happy when they are doing it or is it just a matter of course? There is an army of invisible men that go about their work daily without anyone ever noticing them.

I am always concerned about how the media represents images of black men. Unless its crime-related, very rarely do we see the faces of men who are good at their jobs. I want to bring some of these invisible men to the forefront.

I don't think we ever think about the necessity of a lifeguard until you are in deep trouble and need one.

You usually see them sitting high above you at the beach or the pool watching and waiting for something to happen as long as it is not you or one of your kids. Lifeguards are invisible men.

I caught up with Odel Miller, a lifeguard at one of the country's resorts sometime last year.

How did you become a lifeguard?

I worked in MoBay in a warehouse for a tilling distributor for three years. It was heavy work and I didn't like it much. I needed to make a change. I applied for a lifeguard licence.

What is the procedure?

To apply for your lifeguard licence you must be able to swim at least 100 meters. A lifeguard licence covers CPR, and rescuing people in difficulty. You have to know how to read the water. It is a five-day intensive training course. After the exam, you must swim from pier to pier usually 80 meters. After I passed my exam, someone told me there were vacancies at this resort so I applied here.

I had three interviews - one each with the general and personnel managers, and one with my immediate boss, the water sports manager. I have now been at this resort for the past two years.

My hours are from 1.30 to 9.40 p.m., six days a week. When I am not saving lives, my job also entails cleaning up the pool area and the games area. There are four pools on this resort with a total of 28 life guards. Sometimes, I work on the beach. I am an all-rounder.

What other qualifications do you have?

I have no formal qualifications from school. But I would like to go back to school and complete my plumbing certificate at some stage.

Tell me about your career lows

I always try do something every day when I am out of work and I have had many jobs. I overcome my difficulties by getting support from my friends and fellow co-workers. We work very closely together and we treat each other like brothers.

It is important for me as a black man to work for an honest bread, so I try to do my best every day. I look up to Bounty Killer and other DJs like him who tell you, you can be what you want to be.

I also have a cousin called Winston, younger than me. He encourages me to try to achieve. I try to be like him. I believe if you work hard you can achieve anything.

What advice do you give to young men on the street who don't work?

Even if it is rough, you can achieve your goal. You have to believe in yourself, take it one step at a time and pray to father God.

What would you say was your career high?

I saved a life once. A woman was drowning. She fell from the waterslide and panicked. I was quick on the ready when I saw she was in difficulty. Even while I am talking to you, my eyes are everywhere. (Yes I noticed.)

What are your long-term goals?

I would like to work abroad at some stage of my life, experience something different other than Jamaica. Cayman Island or the U.S. I plan to go back to school to further my education and complete my plumbing certificate. I want to better myself. I am a loving caring and sharing person.

I think I am an all-rounder and a team player but sometimes I get pressured by my boss when he thinks I am not doing enough. That bothers me because I think I am a hard worker. He has eased off a little, so maybe he can see now that I am a hard worker.

I am very popular here at the poolside as you can see. But I must remember at all times to remain friendly with the guests without becoming familiar or too personal. It is against hotels rules. No one really considers us as important staff, but you have to keep your eyes open all the time. Even people who are confident swimmers can sometimes get into difficulty in the water.

I noticed last night you were here until after 9.30 p.m. Why were you still working if the pool closes at 6:00 p.m?

Guest stay by the pool until late. We don't like to rush them but we must clean up and tidy up the area, so we usually wait until the last guest leaves. They are here on vacation - it is not for us to rush them. Although we want to go home, we just be cool and let them take their time. Without them, we wouldn't have a job, right?

NOTE: Since this interview, Mr. Miller has moved on from this resort.

If you are an invisible man who enjoys your job, let me hear from you. Contact Beverley East by email at writefully_yours @hotmail.com.