Lifeguarding in San Diego
More than just running in slow motion
By Tyler Richter
By Tyler Richter
We were standing on the shoreline, waiting to catch our breaths after completing the mile run, and half mile swim when one of the guards on duty ran up to my instructor and whispered something in his ear. My instructor, Mr. Wheeler looked up, and said, “Go grab the ropes, and call the fire department, this is a Code X situation.” When he was given this information, you could tell that his attitude changed completely from being a San Diego Junior Lifeguard Instructor to an on duty lifeguard.
Lifeguarding in San Diego has evolved dramatically over the past 96 years. From the advancements in technology, to the various forms of first aid that have changed and have saved many lives. Lifeguards are the kind of people that are willing to put their lives on the line in order to save others. Whether they are dead or alive, they will have to do whatever it takes to either find the person, or get them to safety. Growing up surfing here in San Diego I have seen many different accounts where the lifeguards have had to make different rescues. It is admirable how dedicated to their jobs some of these lifeguards are. Over the years, I have taken part in the San Diego Junior Lifeguards program which is instructed by official San Diego Beach Lifeguards. I have been lucky enough to have some of the best guards in San Diego be my instructors which is something that has left a lasting impression on me. When the words Code X are put together your first thought may be that it is not a good situation. This is very true. The ocean is a dangerous place, and if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, it could end up being the last time that you enter the ocean, or even breathe again. A Code X is a code that the lifeguards know as one thing- There is an unconscious victim, somewhere under the water, and it is up to the lifeguards to save or just find the persons dead body. There are a series of steps that are taken to make sure that they can do everything in their abilities to find the body. The first steps of a Code X is to contact as many lifeguards at the surrounding locations as possible. After this is done, the first responding lifeguard, (the one who called in the Code x) becomes the team leader. The leader pulls out the ropes, and has as many lifeguards hold onto it, each guards fists touching the others. Once order has been established, they begin to do the line search. This is the most important part of the entire process. The team of lifeguards begins to walk into the water, still holding onto the rope. When the team leader says “1...2...3...dive!” every guard dives under the water, and holds the rope out in front of them hoping to come across the body that they are looking for. This process is an amazing exhibition of teamwork and coordination is called a Line Search. Unfortunately, the line searches that are done, do not often come out with a favorable outcome. When a Code X situation does happen, it happens on a day with large waves, and with the large waves, comes strong currents, which can suck a victim under and drag them underwater miles from where the drowning first happened. This is why the guards must act fast. Mason Derieux, my most recent instructor, works at the main tower in Ocean Beach. He was explaining, “Ocean Beach is the best place to guard. There is so much going on around here, like right out front pointing to the ocean beach pier; you have one of the most crowded beaches in San Diego, and just south of here you have the cliffs (Sunset Cliffs). There is never a dull moment here.” I surf in Ocean Beach a lot, and I have seen him make multiple rescues while I was in the water. There was one rescue in particular, where all of his prior knowledge for the ocean came into play. The waves were larger than normal, and there was a rip current straight out in front of the tower, and the second he saw two victims start to get filtered through the strong current, he jumped into action. He ran as fast as he could, grabbed the paddle board, and paddled out to the victims in less than a minute. When he reached them he got both of them onto the board and caught a wave into shore with them. The entire time that this was happening, I was standing on the beach just watching in awe of what I had witnessed. Everything he did was done so perfectly, and so quickly. After this rescue, he explained to the victims what had happened, they walked away and Mason casually went walking up the beach, propped the surfboard against the tower and sat back down and continued scanning.
None of the things that Mason accomplished that day would have happened if lifeguarding had not evolved to what it is today. Going way back in history, to about 1918 on a summer day where the beach was crowded and people were in the water and everyone was having a good time. It was on this ideal summer day, that 13 people drowned. Due to these drownings, the first team of the official San Diego Lifeguards were put together to prevent future incidents like this. The first team had limited rescue tools, and first aid equipment so they had to build from the ground up. The only tools that they were given were oval shaped buoys, called Burnside Buoys, an average first aid kit, and small wooden boats called dorys. The team was small, but effective. There were three men assigned to Ocean Beach. Because of Ocean Beach’s Wonderland Amusement park, tourists from all over the world would go and ride the carousel and play in the waves. In the summer months the three lifeguards were rescuing at least 200 swimmers per day, and giving first aid treatment to about half of the population that was enjoying the activities. How do lifeguards get chosen? Not everyone can simply become a lifeguard. Every lifeguard that you see at the beach has been put to the test during the Lifeguard Academy, which is a very prestigious accomplishment to just make it to. Out of the four hundred various applicants, about 20-30 get chosen every year to become official lifeguards. Imagine what the world would be like without Fire Departments, and Paramedics. It is difficult to imagine this. The lifeguards, who fit into the category of the Fire Departments and the Paramedics, are the kind of people who are willing to risk everything to save people that they do not even know. in 1968, the city of San Diego began using 911 dispatch to report any emergency. This advancement was the first of many to forever change the way that lives are saved, and the different technologies used today. In 1969, the first AED (Automated External Defibrillator) was used by the paramedics, and by 1972, all of the lifeguard towers were required to have an AED on hand at all times. Nowadays, every seasonal lifeguard tower, Main Tower, and vehicle, must have an AED equipped at all times. These amazing devices have saved so many lives, and are perhaps one of the most important advancements in technology that any lifesaving department could have. In San Diego, we have 33 million visitors each year, because we are a top travel destination. We have the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter. Along with all of these various tourist attractions, people are drawn to our beautiful beaches. When all of these tourists are drawn to the beach, the level of lives that need to be saved increases. The summer months are the months that the lifeguards train for. There is never down time when on duty guards can have down time. “I can never sit down in my tower when i'm on duty in the summer” my friend, and San Diego City lifeguard, Zack Polletta told me. He continued to tell me that when hes working in the summer he doesn't use the towel that he brings. “I’m always running in and out of the water, telling people to get out of the surf zone, or rescuing people from rip currents. Mr. Wheeler walked over to my Junior Lifeguards group and explained to us what was happening. After answering a few questions, he said, “Alright guys, grab your fins, and get water ready. It's time to do a buoy swim.” |