Walton County needs more lifeguards

[Terp22]

By FRED BETZ

“The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation’s beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80 percent of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.”


In one recent week, we had 3 percent of the nation’s yearly total for our little 26-mile stretch of beach.
“The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA-affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death.”


A recent quote in our local newspaper: “We’re as proactive as anybody and maybe even more than some,” said Sammy Sanchez, spokesman with the South Walton Fire District. “People just don’t get the message.”


I agree, but people are still drowning at our shores, so the message isn’t working. The flag system isn’t enough. Our first responders, lifeguards and EMTs and the fire department, are doing a great job and this is in no way a criticism of them. But they need a better support system in terms of more lifeguards on our beaches. There is too much distance between lifeguard stands.


We have the following nine lifeguard towers for 26 miles of Walton County shoreline. That’s just one tower for every 2.9 miles of shoreline:
Trained, Certified Lifeguard Tower Locations (March 9 through Sept. 29, 2013):
 TOWER 1: Access No. 2, 438 S. Orange St., SWFD Zone 1, Inlet Beach.
 TOWER 2: Access No. 17, 3486 E. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 2, Seagrove Beach.
 TOWER 3: Access No. 30, 1931 E. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 2, Seaside.
 TOWER 4: Access No. 36, 2365 S. County Road 83, SWFD Zone 3, Blue Mountain Beach.
 TOWER 5: Access No. 37, 186 Gulfview Heights St., SWFD Zone 3, Santa Rosa Beach.
 TOWER 6: Access No. 39, 4447 W. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 3, Santa Rosa Beach.
 TOWER 7: Access No. 43, 5753 W. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 3, Santa Rosa Beach.
 TOWER 8: Access No. 49, east of 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive, SWFD Zone 5, Miramar Beach.
 TOWER 9: Access No. 49, west of 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive, SWFD Zone 5, Miramar Beach.


For example, standing at the Ed Walline walkover, you would be hard pressed to see the next closest lifeguard stand either east to Goatfeathers or west to Dune Allen. That’s entirely too much distance between guards, and it’s too much area for the guards to closely see people in the surf. If someone gets in trouble, minutes can mean the difference between life and death.


With more guards up close and personal on the beaches, anyone entering too far into the surf on a red flag day could be immediately whistled in closer to shore and be given a “verbal educational warning.”


People just don’t see the danger, especially when they’re excited to be on vacation and want to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico. Direct communication by enough guards on our beaches is the only way we can eliminate unnecessary deaths caused by dangerous rip tides.


If the Tourist Development Council advertises for people to come to the beach, the TDC needs to ensure their safety. The first priority for bed tax funds should be to ensure we have enough lifeguards.


I can’t speak for Okaloosa County, but in Walton County we need more lifeguards, and people going into the water on a red flag day need to be confronted by lifeguards. I know that sounds difficult for Walton County leaders who treat tourists with kid gloves, but not if it can save lives.


Our slogan for rip tides should be “Not on my watch.”


--

Fred Betz is a resident of Santa Rosa Beach.

 

[Zebraspots]

I don't think we need more lifeguards, I think we need smarter tourists.

Rescues and deaths occur when people ignore basic safety rules and get in the water when they shouldn't, not because of a lack of lifeguards.

 

[Teresa]

I think a few life guards at Grayton Beach would be a very good idea...

 

[NotDeadYet]

Aside from the cost, in order to post lifeguards you have to have public restrooms. Parking probably isn't essential but it sure would be helpful. Grayton could use both of those, too. So could the BLM land over near Dunes of Seagrove. Seems like though every time more parking and restrooms get proposed there are multiple objections.
And you won't see lifeguards on so-called 'private' beaches anytime soon.
We could use a few more flags, too, but you run into the same issues there. Access to the flags so they can be changed, placing the poles on 'private' property, liability, etc.

 

[Andy A]

I don't think we need more lifeguards, I think we need smarter tourists.

Rescues and deaths occur when people ignore basic safety rules and get in the water when they shouldn't, not because of a lack of lifeguards.

You are absolutely correct. While it might be a laudable idea to have more lifeguards, you cannot cover all 26 miles of the beach and that includes ours. The addition or redistribution of some of them to cover Grayton Beach is an excellent idea. Life guards should be stationed where there is the most beach traffic. It is all we can do under the circumstances and funds available.

 

[tsutcli]

Does anyone have any feedback on the effectiveness of our Beach Ambassadors program? Positive personal experiences would support expanding this "soft" approach to policing.

 

[30A Skunkape]

By FRED BETZ

“The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation’s beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80 percent of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.”


In one recent week, we had 3 percent of the nation’s yearly total for our little 26-mile stretch of beach.
“The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA-affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death.”


A recent quote in our local newspaper: “We’re as proactive as anybody and maybe even more than some,” said Sammy Sanchez, spokesman with the South Walton Fire District. “People just don’t get the message.”


I agree, but people are still drowning at our shores, so the message isn’t working. The flag system isn’t enough. Our first responders, lifeguards and EMTs and the fire department, are doing a great job and this is in no way a criticism of them. But they need a better support system in terms of more lifeguards on our beaches. There is too much distance between lifeguard stands.


We have the following nine lifeguard towers for 26 miles of Walton County shoreline. That’s just one tower for every 2.9 miles of shoreline:
Trained, Certified Lifeguard Tower Locations (March 9 through Sept. 29, 2013):
 TOWER 1: Access No. 2, 438 S. Orange St., SWFD Zone 1, Inlet Beach.
 TOWER 2: Access No. 17, 3486 E. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 2, Seagrove Beach.
 TOWER 3: Access No. 30, 1931 E. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 2, Seaside.
 TOWER 4: Access No. 36, 2365 S. County Road 83, SWFD Zone 3, Blue Mountain Beach.
 TOWER 5: Access No. 37, 186 Gulfview Heights St., SWFD Zone 3, Santa Rosa Beach.
 TOWER 6: Access No. 39, 4447 W. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 3, Santa Rosa Beach.
 TOWER 7: Access No. 43, 5753 W. County Road 30A, SWFD Zone 3, Santa Rosa Beach.
 TOWER 8: Access No. 49, east of 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive, SWFD Zone 5, Miramar Beach.
 TOWER 9: Access No. 49, west of 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive, SWFD Zone 5, Miramar Beach.


For example, standing at the Ed Walline walkover, you would be hard pressed to see the next closest lifeguard stand either east to Goatfeathers or west to Dune Allen. That’s entirely too much distance between guards, and it’s too much area for the guards to closely see people in the surf. If someone gets in trouble, minutes can mean the difference between life and death.


With more guards up close and personal on the beaches, anyone entering too far into the surf on a red flag day could be immediately whistled in closer to shore and be given a “verbal educational warning.”


People just don’t see the danger, especially when they’re excited to be on vacation and want to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico. Direct communication by enough guards on our beaches is the only way we can eliminate unnecessary deaths caused by dangerous rip tides.


If the Tourist Development Council advertises for people to come to the beach, the TDC needs to ensure their safety. The first priority for bed tax funds should be to ensure we have enough lifeguards.
I can’t speak for Okaloosa County, but in Walton County we need more lifeguards, and people going into the water on a red flag day need to be confronted by lifeguards. I know that sounds difficult for Walton County leaders who treat tourists with kid gloves, but not if it can save lives.


Our slogan for rip tides should be “Not on my watch.”


--

Fred Betz is a resident of Santa Rosa Beach.

Perhaps before the folks get a chance to hit the beach they should be met by a limo at the county line to take them to the beach? After all, driving here and home are exponentially more dangerous activities. I appreciate your concern, but at some point we just need to recognize that certain activities carry some risk. Someone posted some data on a similar thread, and Walton's drowning numbers do seem to suggest the educational programs in place work.