Eh, hiring incompetent people is something philly has always excelled at.

-a philadelphian

It’s the middle of winter.

The city does have these things called indoor pools. They also do recruiting/hiring in the off season to fill positions in order to be ready for the summer.

Just saying if they’re going to have issues now when most of the swimming places are not in operation, I hate to think what it’s going to be like in the summer.

"You there, stop drowning!"

To save anyone a click -- people who can't currently swim are allowed to apply. The city will then offer free lessons and instruction, and the people will still need to test into the lifeguard program.

Now, I have NO IDEA if it's reasonably possible to teach a non-swimmer how to swim well enough in 4 months that they can be a lifeguard. My guess would be no, but I don't know.

Yeah we definitely go above and beyond in that department.

Most jobs will provide at least some job training..

Only really small places only have their pools open only in the summer time (because they are outdoors).

"Here, I'm throwing you a cheese steak so you can use it to float!"

Nah man, we're trying to circle jerk here

Depending on how much pool time they get and their general fitness? Ya it's plausible, they're just pulling someone to the side of a pool in summer, no current, waves or major challenges.

Wouldn’t it just be easier to give them a long pole with a sharp hook and grab the drowners by the swim suit and just yank ‘em out to the side of the pool? /s