Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Monthly Beach Report for August 2018 - Vero Vine

Monthly Beach Report For

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Jaycee Park / Humiston Park / South Beach Park

August 2018

Our Mission:

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

Email: VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com

Website: www.VBLA.org

STATISTICS

Total Park Attendance 66,100

Preventative Actions 1,081

Minor Medicals 26

Major Medicals 4

Rescues 0

Average Water Temperature 82

Beach Erosion Minimal

Stinging Marine Life Moderate

General Conditions

Beach attendance slowed down considerably as local students headed back to school and “snowbirds” have yet to arrive for the season. Afternoon thunderstorms and tropical storms added to the decrease in beach attendance. Even though all the aforementioned factors contributed to lower beach attendance, August 2018 attendance still broke the record for August beach attendance set back in 2017 with 60,000 attendees. The ocean water temperature has stabilized to an average of 82 degrees. Sargassum seaweed continued to wash ashore and continues to linger along the shoreline. Some sea turtle hatchlings have been seen crawling in the wrong direction (away from the ocean) because of lights emanating from structures along the beach. Baitfish pods were present along the shoreline attracting larger fish such as tarpon and sharks. Lifeguards closed the water on numerous occasions when larger predatory fish, attracted by the bait pods, came too close to shore. Lifeguards responded to 30 medical calls in August. There were no water rescues reported keeping the total number of swimmers rescued from the water to 25 in 2018. All swimmers are advised to pay close attention to beach condition signs and flags, swim near lifeguard towers and avoid swimming during non-guarded hours.

Areas of Progress

With help from Idea Garden, Waldo’s, Minuteman Press, Coastal Technology Corporation, Hoos Architects, Mills Short Engineers, Farrow Construction, City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, and City Council, VBLA’s goal of giving our lifeguards the ability to see more of the beach and react to emergencies faster by building a lifeguard tower and command center at Humiston Park is progressing.

Areas of Concern

During lightning storms, it is strongly advised that the public evacuate the beach and seek shelter. Only strong, experienced swimmers with floatation devices and/or a vessel accompanying them should attempt to swim to the Breconshire wreck. The wreck is 650 yards off the coast from Humiston Park and 450 yards off the coast of Costa d Este Resort. The distance and currents are deceiving causing some swimmers to have difficulty during the attempt.

Key

Park Attendance: an estimated count of park attendees to include boardwalks within each park and 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

Rescues: Any water-related emergency to include rip current rescues, fatigued swimmers, surfing, kiteboarding and/or boating accidents.

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, and training for the lifeguards from the city of Vero Beach. Please send donations to: VBLA, 1351 White Heron Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

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