Lifeguard Program - 2021Lifeguards
Purpose:
The Mission of the Atlantic Beach Ocean Lifeguards is to provide for the safety and protection of lives. An emphasis is placed on education and promoting awareness of the marine environment
and identifying potential dangers associated with recreating in an open water environment. Ocean Lifeguards promote beach and ocean safety and provide efficient, effective water rescues
and Basic Life Support (BLS) prior to ambulance arrival.
Employees
The lifeguards are a division of the Public Safety Department and report to the Chief of Police. Five lifeguards remain part time employees year round to provide seamless maintenance
of the program, including applicant processing, training, equipment and supply inventory. An additional 35 lifeguards are hired annually to provide seasonal (6 months), part time service.
Training/Certifications
Each year lifeguards begin practicing in January with formal testing and training in March. All lifeguards have current First Responder training and certification. All guards attend
either new guard or returning guard training as well. Each guard has a minimum of 100 hours of training before working a tower alone. All mid-level supervisors and above have current
EMT/Paramedic certifications. The Atlantic Beach Lifeguard Program has received USLA Advanced Certification, which means all lifeguards are certified First Responders or above. The
two lifeguard vehicles (truck and mule) are BLS vehicles.
Beach Staffing
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the beach is staffed 7 days per week. Monday – Friday it is staffed with 8 towers from 10am – 5pm. Saturdays and Sundays are staffed with 9 towers
from 10am – 5:30pm. The only exceptions are in inclement weather. Weekend staffing begins the last weekend of April through Memorial Day and picks up after Labor Day through the end
of September.
Additional Services for 2015
This year the city is budgeting for additional lifeguard coverage on the beach. This will add weekends in beginning in March and continuing into October which will be an added level
of service. The coverage during the extended months will be at a reduced staffing level, but will include truck patrols, station coverage and incident response.
A Junior Lifeguard Program is also being implemented in 2015. This program will familiarize youth with different aspects of lifeguarding, to include: first aid, lifesaving techniques,
competition training, lifeguard training, marine life and safety, and physical fitness. The program is designed to run for one week, 4 hours per day, with 10 participants attending
per week. There will be 4 different sessions that the program will be offered. This is done both as a community outreach program and also as a way to promote education with local
youth who may have an interest in becoming an Atlantic Beach Lifeguard in the future.