Having heard so much about the life-guards on my trip to Australia, I could hardly wait for the time when I should see them in action. I had been told that they were a specially selected body of men all of whom were strong swimmers. Australian beaches sometimes provide quite unexpected dangers as they are crowded in summer, the life-guards' duties are to save people from drowning , bring in those who have been carried too far out by swift currents, and above all, to keep a sharp look-out for unwelcome visitors like sharks.