SWFD update on surf conditions
Saturday August 29, 2020
DOUBLE RED FLAGS
Today we continued to fly Double Red Flags (water closed to the public) for good reason.
When beachgoers ignore the Double Red Flags, they put themselves and well meaning bystanders in danger.
They ALSO put their EMS rescuers in unnecessary danger.
Today a SWFD Lifeguard was injured performing a water rescue.
Earlier this afternoon Lifeguards and Fire Crews responded to a Multiple Victim Water Rescue near Eastern Lake on an unguarded beach.
One victim became two when a bystander entered the water to assist and was quickly overtaken by the powerful rip currents.
Two SWFD Lifeguards were able to successfully bring both victims back to shore despite the great force and strength of the rip current.
One of the two victims was transported by EMS to the nearest hospital facility.
One of the SWFD Lifeguards was also transported to the hospital for further medical attention.
SWFD takes pride in its Beach Safety Program’s 15 year record of drowning prevention efforts & EMS response on the beaches of South Walton.
We think it’s fair to demand that the public heed the warnings and do its part to ensure our personnel don’t get injured or worse by being reckless and defiant of our messaging.
Don’t put yourselves, the public, and our First Responders in danger because you are convinced that you are the exception to the rule.
Our neighbors to east in Franklin County lost a First Responder on a similar call earlier this week.
We came too close today.
As of the time of this posting @ 5 pm, SWFD crews are responding to yet ANOTHER Water Rescue!
STAY OUT OF THE WATER!
Saturday August 29, 2020
DOUBLE RED FLAGS
Today we continued to fly Double Red Flags (water closed to the public) for good reason.
When beachgoers ignore the Double Red Flags, they put themselves and well meaning bystanders in danger.
They ALSO put their EMS rescuers in unnecessary danger.
Today a SWFD Lifeguard was injured performing a water rescue.
Earlier this afternoon Lifeguards and Fire Crews responded to a Multiple Victim Water Rescue near Eastern Lake on an unguarded beach.
One victim became two when a bystander entered the water to assist and was quickly overtaken by the powerful rip currents.
Two SWFD Lifeguards were able to successfully bring both victims back to shore despite the great force and strength of the rip current.
One of the two victims was transported by EMS to the nearest hospital facility.
One of the SWFD Lifeguards was also transported to the hospital for further medical attention.
SWFD takes pride in its Beach Safety Program’s 15 year record of drowning prevention efforts & EMS response on the beaches of South Walton.
We think it’s fair to demand that the public heed the warnings and do its part to ensure our personnel don’t get injured or worse by being reckless and defiant of our messaging.
Don’t put yourselves, the public, and our First Responders in danger because you are convinced that you are the exception to the rule.
Our neighbors to east in Franklin County lost a First Responder on a similar call earlier this week.
We came too close today.
As of the time of this posting @ 5 pm, SWFD crews are responding to yet ANOTHER Water Rescue!
STAY OUT OF THE WATER!
