|
Pensacola Beach rescues up six-fold
By Vici Papajohn
Gulf Breeze News
Pensacola Beach Safety
Director Bob West is glad to
see both visitors and locals
returning to area Gulf waters,
yet warns that Lifeguard
assists and rescues are up sixfold.
“It has been documented
that 1.3 cubic yards of sand
was removed from the beach
during Hurricane Ivan, and we
can all tell with our eyes that
the sand bars are larger than
ever,” West explains. “It’s my
opinion that the changed
shoreline is causing stronger,
more abrupt rip currents
which have increased the
number of contacts we have
had to make.”
The high sand bars are very
attractive to beachcombers,
and many people are heading
out on the sandbars,
considering them a safe place
to stroll, according to West.
“Near the Gulf Pier, on the
sand bar to the right, the sand
bar is only knee deep, but
abruptly drops off to over 8
feet of depth, catching many
non-swimmers unaware. We
have had to help several people
who find themselves literally
over their head.”
The Lifeguards on
Pensacola Beach keep strict
records of any contact they
have with the public. Between
March and June, 2004,
Lifeguards on Pensacola
Beach made a total of 12,897
contacts with the public, 9,
297 of which were prevents. A
prevent is any activity of
counseling or assistance above
and beyond the usual “have a
safe day.” In guarded areas, 85
assists were made, and in
unguarded areas 44 assists
were made and 49 rescues.
Assists are a step above a
prevent, and entail making
contact with the swimmers
and helping them to safety in a
situation which may have
gotten out of control.
In the same months of
2005, prevents increased six
fold to 6,475 and contacts
nearly doubled to 21, 310.
More than 205 assists have
been made in guarded areas,
and 14 in unguarded areas.
150 rescues have taken place in
guarded and unguarded areas.
“There is still no
replacement for caution and
common sense,” encourages
West. “There are some very
practical ways to avoid
drowning. Swim near
lifeguards and never get in the
gulf if you cannot swim. Four
out of four recent neardrownings
were nonswimmers
walking on the sand
bar who stepped off into deep
water. Swim in the sound not
the gulf if you cannot swim. It
is also very important to obey
the surf warning system and
never overestimate your
abilities.”
| 
