Oh, the Good Old Days!

Instructions for United States Coast Guard stations, 1921:

"A surfman on lookout…shall not sit down, lie down, sleep, read, entertain visitors, or do anything else that will tend to interfere with the proper discharge of his duties. He shall immediately report to the officer or other person in charge of the station all occurrences which involve, or seem likely to involve, danger to or loss of life or property. He shall not leave the lookout unless properly relieved.

"He shall not take into the lookout any book, paper, pamphlet, or other reading matter, or any chair, stool, bench, or other seat, nor shall he permit any such article or articles or any person not connected with the service in the lookout while he is on watch."

How do our modern-day lifeguards compare? 

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