Yellowknife (Jun 28/06) - In her six years as a lifeguard at Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, Jackie Bonner has rescued 18 people from drowning.

"This summer, I had two pull-outs already," she said of having to extract somebody from the pool. "And you remember each one."

But for the 21-year-old lifeguard, being on duty can entail more than ensuring the safety of swimmers.

"Ask a lifeguard if they have any stories and everyone does," she says.

So do you have any?

"Oh yeah. One time there was this 300lb guy wearing a white Speedo and I had to tell him to change because everybody could see through it," she recalls.

So lifeguards are the bearers of good taste at the public pool?

"Well, a mother actually came up and said 'I don't want my children to have to see that,'" she explains. "I just didn't want to have to save him from the deep end. I assure you I could've done it, but you know...."

And what about, erm, accidents?

"I remember there was this kid who used to come in every Tuesday and always went to the bathroom in the pool."

So what happens then?

"We evacuate the pool and super chlorinate the area and believe me, there's nothing living in there after that," Bonner says of the procedure for handling a number two that ends up in the drink.

In most cases, to get a lifeguarding gig, the Bronze Cross and standard first aid certification is the ticket, but because there is so much competition in Yellowknife, all guards at Ruth Inch are National Lifeguarding Service approved.

As well, Bonner is a certified swimming instructor who attends university.