Lifeguards Share Tips for Beach First Aid

Lifeguards at Orange County beaches make thousands of water rescues every summer and take thousands more preventative actions to keep swimmers from getting into sticky situations in the first place.

But as we’ve mentioned before on Patch, not every stretch of beach is patrolled by the pros. That’s why it’s , such as the, the physical hazards the beach can pose and beach first aid.

Most of the first-aid practices useful at the beach are the same as practices everywhere—performing CPR and stopping bleeding with pressure—but the presence of saltwater and surf complicates matters.

San Clemente Marine Safety Officer Blake Anderson outlined some basic first-aid tips.

If you recognize someone is in distress, go after him yourself only as a last resort, and then only if you’re confident you can handle the water conditions. Preferably have swim fins and a floatation device, and always let someone else know you’re going in.

When you call 911 or the lifeguard, be prepared to describe the location and sex of the victim and what the person is wearing.

If you have to go in, shout encouraging words, and stay out of reach of the victim unless you have a flotation device—unless the victim appears  unconscious. 

If a swimmer appears to be unconscious, the first order of business is to make sure he or she has a clear airway. Turn him on his back in the water.

Beyond this, try to allow the spine or any limbs that appear broken to move as little as possible as you get the victim to shore. An unconscious swimmer could very well have cervical damage to the spine.

In case of cervical damage, recruit as many people as possible to hold the victim steady, floating on his back in waist-deep water—unless you have a long, rigid surfboard to use as a stretcher—until help arrives.

As with any bleeding, always use pressure to stanch the flow from open wounds.

Lifeguards suggest that everyone learn CPR—it’s a few hours of classes that could save someone’s life.

Also, always have a pair of swim fins when swimming at the beach, especially when the surf is strong. Anderson said swim fins can increase the strength of your stroke tenfold.