Can AI Replace Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in 2026?

Lower exposure. AI could handle about 7% of today's lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers tasks by 2036, and there is a 8% chance the number of jobs falls by a fifth or more. AI mostly assists people in this role.

See how not to be replaced

Timeline

Year2030

Tasks AI can do

Headcount (2025 = 100)

100

Chance of 20%+ fewer jobs

8% 2030 · 8% 2036

One person could cover, 2036

~1 roles

Share of today's tasks AI can perform

Headcount index, 2025 = 100 (dashed line)

Your survival map

Not every part of your job is at the same risk. Tap a number to see what to do about each task.

Your human coreDo it with AIHand to AI

Tap a number on the map or a task below.

Your plan

Ticks are saved in this browser only.

Try an AI tool on one task you'd normally do by hand: "Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information".Get visibly better at your human core: "Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers".Rewrite the top of your CV around judgment, people and decisions, not routine output.

Similar occupations

Recreation Workers · Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors · Firefighters · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Based on 15 O*NET tasks for "Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers" (SOC 33-9092.00). LLM alone: 8% of tasks; with AI tools: 8%. Projections are a model, not official statistics. How we calculate this · Data version 2026-10