Our Mission:
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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 | 68,475 |
| Preventative Actions | 1,107 |
| Minor Medicals | 7 |
| Major Medicals | 1 |
| Rescues | 0 |
| Average Water Temperature | 84 |
| Beach Erosion | Moderate |
| Stinging Marine Life | Minimal |
*Does not include extended hours statistics
General Conditions
August 2019 beach attendance of 68,475 broke the previous August beach attendance record of 66,000 set back in 2018. The approach of Hurricane Dorian during the last few days of August had a negative effect on beach attendance. Consistent afternoon thunderstorms and very hot conditions may have kept some people from enjoying the beach as well. Consistent easterly winds have contributed to some seaweed being deposited on the beach and some moderate beach erosion. The average ocean water temperature has risen to 84 degrees. Fewer sea turtle nests were created compared to the previous month, however Green turtles are still nesting. Lifeguards responded to 8 medical calls of which 1 were serious enough that the patient was transported to the hospital. Powerful surf conditions have washed away some of the artificial reef buoys along Central Beach. Volunteers from the VBLA will attempt to attach some of the buoys if/when conditions allow. All three guarded beaches within the City limits had extended lifeguard hours until 7pm during the summer.
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
Lifeguard extended hours provided more safety on the beach by preventing some accidents from occurring. Lifeguards performed nearly 400 preventative actions in the month of August. The City has budgeted for extended hours again next summer.
| AUGUST EXTENDED HOURS (5-7pm) STATISTICS | |
| Total Park Attendance | 12,627 |
| Preventative Actions | 377 |
| Minor Medicals | 2 |
| Major Medicals | 0 |
| Rescues | 0 |
Orange and white marker buoys have been installed on the Prefabricated Erosion Prevention (PEP) reef which extends from Humiston Park to The Village Spires along Central Beach. These buoys may prevent swimmers from being injured by the reef as it is located within the surf zone at a very popular section of beach.
The City of Vero Beach has pledged $75,000 to help build the lifeguard tower and command center at Humiston Park. With help from Coastal Technology Corporation, Hoos Architects, Mills Short Engineers, Farrow Construction, 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
Some dog owners are bringing their dogs on the beach. It is against City ordinances to bring dogs on any of the City’s beach parks or traverse over public beach accesses with dogs unless the dog is a “handicap assisted” animal. Many dogs are off their leashes which pose a hazard to beach patrons and sea turtle nests.
As beach attendance grows more people are outside the guarded areas increasing the likelihood of accidents and drownings.
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, kite boarding 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.
N.L. Goodman is the name she uses for her rhymes and Thesderina McGurglestein is used for her free children's website atwordwarrirokids.net and children’s books.
Her feng shui books are under her real name, go figure!
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