SWFD: Lifeguards experience increase in water rescue calls

Tuesday March 16
SWFD Beach Safety report on Surf Conditions

Red Flags!!!
Dangerous surf & rip currents!!!
KNEE DEEP IS TOO DEEP!!!

Start writing tickets!

Start writing tickets!

There should be double red flags flying and then ticket the tourons

SWFD Beach Safety
Tuesday March 16

After nearly 20 water rescue calls in the span of a few hours Tuesday afternoon, South Walton Fire District made the decision to change flags to DOUBLE RED!

That means the water is NOW CLOSED.

DO NOT GET IN THE WATER!

Lifeguards did respond to an incident where Advanced Life Support (ALS) units transported one person to a local hospital.

The sirens never stopped yesterday. I'd say it's time to start arresting folks.

The sirens never stopped yesterday. I'd say it's time to start arresting folks.

Rescue them then arrest them and charge them for the cost that takes place when they have to be rescued. They are putting lifeguards and emergency responders lives in danger… Double reds should’ve been flying by Monday afternoon..why wait until 20 Rescues happen to go from a single red to a double read?? Duh

Rescue them then arrest them and charge them for the cost that takes place when they have to be rescued. They are putting lifeguards and emergency responders lives in danger… Double reds should’ve been flying by Monday afternoon..why wait until 20 Rescues happen to go from a single red to a double read?? Duh

Did you see JAWS?

SWFD
Wednesday March 17

DOUBLE RED FLAGS!!!
LIFE THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENTS!!!
WATER IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC!
BEACHES ARE OPEN, BUT WATER IS CLOSED!
STAY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WATER!

WCSO AND WC CODE COMPLIANCE WILL BE ISSUING $500 CITATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE DOUBLE RED ORDINANCE!

Surf looks calmer this morning, but high winds are expected for the next two days, which will kick the surf back up to levels that surpassed yesterday's conditions!

The call to go Double Red is NOT made lightly.
Yesterday's decision to go Double Red was the result of a high volume of water rescues that overwhelmed EMS response capabilities, moreso than the actual surf conditions.

SMALLER SURF THIS MORNING DOES NOT EQUATE TO LESS DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS!!!
DON'T PUT YOURSELVES OR OTHERS IN DANGER!
HEED AND OBEY THE FLAG WARNING SYSTEM!

Stay Dry Today

TEXAS MAN DROWNS ATTEMPTING TO SAVE A YOUNG BOY IN WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA
Posted on March 17, 2021

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla— A Texas family is mourning the loss of a husband and father after he drowned attempting to save a young boy in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday.

At 2:55 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16th, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a water rescue on the beach behind a home on Beach Drive in Miramar Beach.

Before deputies arrived, beachgoers pulled a 54-year-old man from the water after he attempted to save a young boy who was in distress. The boy was able to make it back to shore, but the man was found slumped over in the water.

The victim, positively identified as Timothy M. Browne, was eventually pulled from the water and CPR was initiated by a registered nurse who was on scene. First responders arrived within minutes and continued life-saving measures. He was transported to Sacred Heart where he was pronounced deceased.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathy to Mr. Browne’s family and friends.

TEXAS MAN DROWNS ATTEMPTING TO SAVE A YOUNG BOY IN WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA | Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL

Facebook post Wednesday March 17:

View attachment 88607

such a tough conundrum. should rescues be made by county personnel when double red flags are up? the person likely knowingly went into water under double red flags, and should not expect rescue. BUT, if by-standers get involved, as was the case above, then what?

and I guess "Closed" does not apply if you are surfing? (board tethered by leash to surfer).

The ocean doesn't want me today,
but I'll be back tomorrow to play.
I'll go in up to here, it can't possibly hurt,
and all they will find is my beer and my shirt.
... but the ocean doesn't want me today.
- Tom Waits

play this on your headphones one evening while gazing across the gulf for spooky treat.