Lifeguard responsibilities vary from location to location, but all lifeguards play a vital role in ensuring the safety of individuals who visit beaches, swimming pools, and water parks. They are responsible for monitoring swimmers, responding to emergencies, and preventing accidents. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of lifeguards, the significance of their apparel, and the essential equipment they use.
Firstly, lifeguards are essential to ensure the safety of individuals who visit aquatic facilities. They are trained professionals who have the necessary skills and knowledge to respond to emergencies quickly. Their primary responsibility is to monitor swimmers and identify potential hazards such as rip currents, submerged rocks, or underwater obstacles. Without their presence, individuals who swim in these locations may be at risk of drowning, especially those who are not strong swimmers.
Lifeguard Gear
Secondly, lifeguard apparel is a crucial aspect of their job. Lifeguards wear distinctive uniforms that make them easily identifiable. Their apparel typically consists of a red or bright-colored swimsuit or trunks, a white t-shirt or tank top, and a whistle or some form of communication during emergencies. This attire helps lifeguards stand out and and be quickly identified in case of an emergency.
Thirdly, lifeguard equipment is essential to ensure the safety of swimmers. They use a variety of tools such as rescue tubes, rescue cans, and buoys to aid in water rescues. They also use first aid kits, oxygen tanks, and defibrillators to treat individuals who have suffered from cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies. Without these essential tools, lifeguards would not be able to respond quickly to emergencies, which could result in fatal consequences.
Lifeguard Duties
Fourthly, lifeguards are responsible for enforcing safety rules and regulations at aquatic facilities. They ensure that individuals follow the rules such as no diving in shallow water, no running on wet surfaces, and no horseplay in the water. By enforcing these regulations, lifeguards can prevent accidents and injuries from occurring.
Fifthly, lifeguards are trained to respond to emergencies quickly and efficiently. They are taught how to perform CPR, administer first aid, and use rescue equipment effectively. Their quick response time can make a significant difference in the outcome of an emergency.
Lifeguards are not only responsible for rescues. Most life saving positions are responsible for maintaining a safe and clean environment at aquatic facilities. They monitor the water quality to ensure that it is safe for swimming, and they clean the area to prevent slips and falls. In addition, lifeguards play a crucial role in educating individuals about water safety. They teach individuals how to swim and how to prevent accidents from occurring. They also provide information on the dangers of rip currents, the importance of wearing life jackets, and the risks of swimming alone.
Lifeguard Training and Prevention
Lifeguard responsibilities extend beyond the physical aspect of saving lives. Lifeguards provide a sense of security for individuals who visit aquatic facilities. Their presence alone can prevent accidents from occurring and provide a sense of comfort for individuals who may be nervous about swimming in the water.
Lifeguards are responsible for maintaining their skills and knowledge by attending regular training sessions. They learn new techniques and skills that they can use in case of emergencies.
Lastly, lifeguards are essential to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting aquatic facilities. Their job is vital to prevent accidents from occurring, respond to emergencies quickly, and provide a sense of security for individuals who visit these locations.
In conclusion, the importance of lifeguards cannot be overstated. They play a vital role in ensuring the safety of individuals who visit aquatic facilities. Their apparel and equipment are essential to their job, and they are responsible for enforcing safety rules and regulations, responding to emergencies, educating individuals about water safety, and maintaining a safe and clean environment. Lifeguards are an essential part of any aquatic facility, and we should appreciate their hard work and dedication to keeping us safe.
Last Friday, the Watermen Crew headed east to the rolling green hills of Ramona, CA, to enjoy a day of friendly competition and team building at Velocity Paintball. After several hours of sweat and mud, the entire crew was ear to ear with smiles. At first glance, this ‘field-day’ felt like an above-average way to get out of the office and enjoy the fresh air. A cool winter day provided the perfect temperature to enjoy a thorough dose of exercise, but the benefits don’t stop here. Each round of paintball was an excellent opportunity to communicate and strategize with each co-worker. Every individual improved their ability to present a strategy and execute with clear communication. Without the cohesion, each team would face a stinging barrage of paintballs.
Communication is Key
Members from the sales team, marketing department, customer service, and shipping came together with new strategies and approaches each round. Even our technical support team from Crypto IT, joined us in some knee high grass and eucalyptus to show us a thing or two and share the laughs. Highlights included our CEO avoiding all shots, as well as an impressive performance from our newest member to customer service.
These simple skills are transferable to every work place, especially Watermen, where we take pride in our close-knit community and the customers we serve. Without our level of customer support and communication, we would be another average competitor in the swimwear and apparel space. So, on that note, give us a call, and let us know how we can help!
By now, we are back to the office to fulfill your latest suit order. Thanks for working with us over the years, and let us know if you want to join the next round of paintball! Also, check out the Olive Windansea Hoodie – it helped our sales team stay a little extra camouflaged during the paintball.
A week into 2023 and a series of north pacific storms provided the largest swell to hit California in years. With the proximity of the storm, most big waves and outer reefs were too wild, so the mission was simple; get north of Los Angeles to some fickle point breaks and other areas that rarely see any size of swell, let alone a predicted 15 foot swell.
3:30am
After departing the Watermen headquarters in the dark and driving a few hours north, we arrived to watch the sunrise at a classic rock boulder point that has the potential for large ruler edge lines and punchy scraping barrels. The Large raw swell was slightly overwhelming the point, but still manageable, with large double ups and long racing walls breaking up and down the large boulder field. Waves would taper off down the point, only to merge with another line of swell and double in size as they pushed further into the small cove. Within a few minutes of paddling out, we were trading off waves amidst a small crowd, pulling into shallow sections and flying down the line on large bowled up sets.
6:30am
Dawn patrol at a fickle, boulder-ridden righthand point break
9:30am
As the tide peaked a couple hours after sunrise, the swell backed off slightly, creating longer, more organized lines from the top of the point into the bay and the crowds came by the dozens. Feeling very content with our uncrowded dawn session we caught one more wave in and headed south to food and lesser known points that could possibly be in rare form.
High tide and mid-morning late comers push us to the next wave
10:30am
Just like clockwork, we arrived on site at another ‘fickle’ right point that was breaking in multiple spots along the point, with big walls racing off the rocks into a large sandy bay. Huge mounds of water were coming in consistently, with the opportunity to connect one of these waves 100’s of meters down the shoreline, through a variety of steep sections, and big swinging walls of water. Each of us took turns sitting deep out the back for a taste of the larger bombs, before sitting inside the rocks and swinging into large steep green wedges. With arms tired, and legs muscles burning from pumping through endless sections, the barrels became less make-able, and a light breeze began to ripple the surface texture. After a couple hours at this ‘un-mentioned’ point, we packed up and hit the road in search of one last miracle. With a few hours of light left, we had enough time to check Rincon and nearby spots. As the tide bottomed out and hundreds of surfers poured off the highway into coastal parking lots, hoping to take advantage of the unique conditions.
A lesser known point converts the large swell into long bending lines
Racing down the line on a freight train right
2:30pm
After an hour of poking around, the search came to a halt at a lesser noted right point break, with the strength and direction of the swell offering unusually long lines over mussel covered boulders and patchy sand. One last change into the wetsuits and we were running down the coast highway to our third session of the short winter day with salt in our eyes, and smiles wider than our sunburnt mouths could handle. Although the Largest swell to hit California in years did not necessarily translate to the largest waves we surfed this year, it did offer an incredible opportunity to score some fickle and lesser-surfed points with considerable size.
5:00pm
Sales team member Ryan admires long lines of swell bending around a point at sunset.
We caught up with our guy Grant Begley @dontfearthesweeper to talk story about his recent trip to Costa Rica. How he planned it, to what happened while they were down there. From the looks of it we think he scored. Our very own Sam Nelson @brothersnelson sat down to chat with him.
Grant, your trip looked epic! Tell us a little bit about your trip, when you first started going to Costa Rica and how has your love for it developed?
“I have been going to Costa Rica thrill seeking land and sea for over 20 years. Its amazing to see how it has changed before my own eyes. What once was all dirt road has been replaced with pavement, tolls, and açaí bowls. Surf schools up and down the beach accompanied by local ticos with waiting of tourist for a coco frìo is pretty common. These things are great for the economy, but when I want to get away, I want to get away from all of that.”
So what do you do instead of going to mainstream Costa Rica?
“I want the real Costa Rica. About 6 years ago, I found Spearfishing Adventures guide that offered my getaway. Now I have been running away 1-2 times a year to get there. No cell service, power is a maybe and definitely no hot water. I love it! You either take a small plane or a small boat down a river to get to it, and someone once said the smaller the plane when traveling means the bigger the fish.”
From the looks of it, sounds like you scored. So where do you find them?
“Poor Mans paradise is in south Costa Rica that is designed to cater to the everyday backpacker or birdwatcher. It’s quite the subtle place…… until our guide stepped foot onto the land. Good Time Charlie Charters definitely brought a wild sided absolute thrill seeking adventure to the area. The property and bungalows are surrounded by the Corcovado National Park, and filled with pristine wildlife. There are no major ports or harbors close, so the fishing is very lightly impacted.”
So what were you searching for on this trip?
“The main target is big Pargo (snapper), but this year we changed it up to focus on Yellowfin Tuna. A faster growing pelagic fish, higher specie population, and still big! We planned our arrival almost 8 months in advance to arrive on the new moon. This means the tuna should be looking for food during the day since there is no light at night. It worked. With two boats, and two professional guides, we decided to set up a friendly fishing tournament.”
Do you always use a guide or do you go out remotely?
“Something we find very important and won’t do trips without is a guide. Although Spearfishing can seem as easy as swim and shoot, it can be extremely dangerous. Even the smartest individuals can make the dumbest mistakes. It’s important to plan safety and do research before trips like this. Fortunately our guide service does all the ground work, and we just get to have fun.”
We were stoked to help make the trip happen how was the outcome?
“Yeah man, everyone was hyped that Waterman provided the prizes for the daily weigh ins giving a next level experience for the final winning boat. Everyone literally killed it, putting over 500lbs of tuna in the boats over the trip.”
Wow, that’s so rad dude. What were some highlights from the trip?
“The main highlight of this trip is that a group of working class fisherman bring over 500lbs of fish back to the base camp and all go home safe. Everyone in the village shows up and the rewards from the days catch are passed around and quickly brought home. Nothing is wasted. It is truly a waterman paradise. You eat what you catch, diving in shore reef to blue water all in the same day. On your off days, the beach has surf to play in and rivers to follow up to hidden waterfalls. I can’t wait to go back next year.”
We are stoked you continue to show everyone here what a true waterman does. It’s inspiring to say the least. We can’t wait to see some more of your trips throughout the year!
Huge
CONGRATULATIONS to one of our own Ean Miller Lifeguard II California State
Parks, Mendocino Coast for receiving the USLA Medal of Valor (the highest-level
award in lifeguarding)! Honored and presented by the State of California Parks.
We are so proud of you and your contributions!
Summary of incident
Westport Recue 12/15/18
On 12/15/18 at approximately 1715 hours while on duty near
Pudding Creek Beach in Fort Bragg, CA State Parks Lifeguard Ean Miller
overheard a radio call for 2 kayakers in distress near the town of Westport.
Lifeguard Miller responded to the scene code 3 through the
rain and darkness for approximately 15 miles.
Arriving on scene Lifeguard Miller. Found one of the victims on shore
and suffering from hypothermia. At approximately 1733 hours he entered the
water alone in the dark to rescue the second victim finding her face down in
the water approximately 75 yards offshore. Using his helmet flashlight, buoy,
fins and rescue board Lifeguard Miller successfully brought the victim back to
shore.
Once back on shore Lifeguard Miller lead resuscitation
efforts performing CPR on the subject. Eventually patient care was taken over
by paramedics. The patient was eventually transported to Santa Rose where they
made a full recovery.
I believe without Lifeguard Miller and his quick actions
without hesitation or fear the disposition of the rescue would have been very
different. This rescue combined with the rescue at Big River Beach shows a
continuing pattern of selfless behavior for Lifeguard Miller. Faced with
difficult life-threatening situations he is able to focus and get the job done.
The two recent lives saved are a direct result of his bravery. For these two
dangerous rescues I would like nominate Ean Miller for the USLA medal of valor.
Westport Conditions: Swell – 6.6. @ 12 seconds, SE
winds 15 knots. The area of the rescue has numerous hazards with a mixture of
small sandy coves exposed rocks and surging breaking surf. Lifeguard Miller had
to contend with these dangerous conditions in the dark.
Summary of Incident
Big River Rescue 11/29/18
The following is a description of a rescue that took place
on the Mendocino coast on Thursday November 29th 2018. During this rescue
State Parks Lifeguard Ean Miller performed his duties exceptionally, going
above and beyond the normal call of duty to save one victim and recover
another. During this recue Ean acted with bravery putting his safety at risk to
successfully extricate two victims from a very dangerous situation. Ean was the
only State Parks Lifeguard on duty for the incident.
On 11/29/18 at approximately 1630 hours while on duty near
Caspar Lifeguard Ean Miller heard radio scanner traffic reporting a water
rescue near Big River Beach with multiple victims. Miller drove to scene code
3. Miller was the first responder to locate the reporting party on scene near
the Presbyterian Church in the town of Mendocino. After speaking to the
reporting party Miller located the first victim in a small cove along the
bluffs north of Big River Beach. Miller accessed the water via small trail down
the cliff that lead to an approximately 10-foot jump into surging water.
The cove that the victim was located in was very hazardous.
At high tide the waves slam up into the cliff edge so there is no beach. In
conditions like that day it is also a collection point where debris including
huge tree sized logs are deposited by the current. To complete this recuse
Miller had to navigate the rocky cliff edge, large waves, extreme currents, and
the huge drift wood logs in the surf zone.
In these hectic conditions Miller was able to get the
victim, calm him down, buoy him up, and swim him to safer water. While swimming
the victim to a more protected beach. Miller and the victim were picked up by
an RWC operated by Mendocino Volunteer Fire personnel. Fore personal dropped
Miller off at Big River Beach and took the victim in to a waiting ambulance.
Once he was dropped off at Big River Beach Miler ran on foot
back to the scene approximately .25 miles to get the second victim. He accessed
the water down the cliff the same way as before and located the second victim
who was unconscious and floating in a nearby cove that contained the same
hazards as previously mentioned. Miller got to the victim and swam the
unconscious victim out to a spot where a rescue craft could pic the victim up.
With the victim Miller was transported to the beach by
Mendocino Fire personnel on their RWC’s. At Big River Beach boat ramp Miller
assisted Paramedics in resuscitation efforts of Victim #2. Victim #2 was
pronounced deceased on scene by medics and Victim #1 was transported to the
hospital and treated for hypothermia.
It is in my opinion that Lifeguard Miller’s actions during
this rescue were heroic and worthy of recognition. Therefore, I would like to
nominate him for the USLA Medal of Valor for his bravery in the face of danger.
During this brave act Lifeguard Miller successful saved one victim’s life and
recovered another. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Big River Conditions: swell – 13.5 @ 8.5 seconds, NW
wind 23knots. Strong currents due to large surf, dropping tide and water
flowing from the river.