Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Monthly Beach Report

• Jaycee Park
• Humiston Park
• South Beach Park

September 2015

Mission: To promote water safety and lifeguarding in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.

Email: VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com

Website: www.VBLA.org

STATISTICS

Total Park Attendance 42662

Preventative Actions 918

Minor Medicals 77

Major Medicals 6

Rescues 5

Average Water Temperature 84

Beach Erosion Moderate

Stinging Marine Life Heavy

General Conditions

Ocean temperatures are averaging 84 degrees. Pods of

mullet, the tarpon which feed on the mullet and larger

predatory fish are everywhere. September beach attendance

was similar to August but September saw many more

jellyfish stings, major medicals and water rescues. Vero

Beach lifeguards rescued 5 swimmers from rip currents in the

month of September bringing the total number of rescues in

2015 to 34. The number of jellyfish stings that lifeguards

treated tripled from the previous month. Lifeguards were

involved in 5 major medical emergencies, 1 which may have

resulted in loss of life. All swimmers are advised to pay close

attention to beach condition flags, swim near lifeguard

towers and avoid swimming during non-guarded beach

Areas of Concern

A swimmer may have lost his life while swimming

approximately one quarter mile south of Humistion Park, just

north of Riomar Point. When lifeguards arrived, CPR was

being performed on the 81 year old man who was in critical

condition. Guards took over CPR and paramedics arrived

soon afterward. Central Beach, an unguarded beach from

The Driftwood Inn to Vero Beach Hotel and Spa had 4

confirmed “Good Samaritan” rescues; a non-lifeguard who

enters the water and saves a distressed swimmer. VBLA

continues to stress that the public should swim at or near

one of the three guarded beaches the City of Vero Beach

provides. The average time it takes for a person to drown is

between 20 and 60 seconds. In the event of an emergency,

the greater the distance lifeguards have to run decreases the

likelihood of a successful outcome. Many individuals and

families are on the beach, far from a guarded area and/or in

the water after lifeguards leave at 5pm. VBLA encourages

patrons to swim at a guarded beach during lifeguard hours

and to understand the potential life threatening conditions.

Key

Park Attendance: includes areas immediately north and south of each park

Preventative Actions: stopping potential incidents before they occur

Minor Medicals: a medical incident which is treated on-site by lifeguard/EMT

personnel

Major Medicals: a medical incident that required Emergency Medical Services

About VBLA

This report is furnished by the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, a non-profit,

501C3 organization. Its mission is to promote water safety and lifeguarding in

Vero Beach and the surrounding communities. Contact us at

VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com or (908)797-8725. Visit us at www.VBLA.org.

Donations are appreciated. Monies raised are used to purchase equipment,

supplies, staffing and training for the lifeguards from the city of Vero Beach.

Please send donations to: VBLA, 1351 White Heron Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.