summer 2006 · 2018-04-04 · es it tri-annually with a summer issue (july 1), winter issue (nov....

S U M M E R 2 0 0 6

36 AMERICAN LIFEGUARD MAGAZINE, SPRING 2006

2 AMERICAN LIFEGUARD MAGAZINE, SPRING 2006 AMERICAN LIFEGUARD MAGAZINE, SPRING 2006 35

USLA O F F I C E R S

USLA Executive BoardPresident

B. Chris Brewster, San Diego, [email protected]

Vice-President

Jerry Gavin, Chicago, [email protected]

Treasurer

Greg Farry, Bradley Beach, NJ [email protected]

Secretary

Nikki Bowie, Charleston, SC [email protected]

Recurrent Rep.

Chris Graham, Costa Mesa, [email protected]

International Liaison

Peter Davis, Galveston, TX [email protected]

Advisor

Tim Gallagher, Avon-by-the-Sea, [email protected]

Medical Advisor

Dr. Peter Werniki, Vero Beach, [email protected]

Legal Advisor

John "Chip" More, Avon-by-the-Sea, [email protected]

American Lifeguard Magazine StaffPublisher/Editor

Mike Bartlett, Huntington Beach, [email protected]

Staff Writers

Eric Sandy, Del Mar, CAB. Chris Brewster, San Diego, CADr. Peter Hartsock,

US Public Health ServiceRick Gould, Santa Clarita, CAPhil Rogers, Mid-AtlanticPeter Davis, Galveston, TX

Financial Advisor

Greg Farry, Bradley Beach, [email protected]

Membership Liaison

Charlie Hartl, Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ [email protected]

Design/Typesetting

Jennifer Velasquez, Torrance, [email protected]

Staff Photographers

Phil Rogers, Mid AtlanticAndrew Healey, Point Lookout, NYFrank Arena, Piscataway, NJMike Bartlett, Huntington Beach, CA

USLA Regional PresidentsNew England

Rian [email protected]

Mid-Atlantic

Ed [email protected]

South Atlantic

Kevin [email protected]

Southeast

James [email protected]

Great Lakes

Joe [email protected]

Gulf Coast

Vic [email protected]

Pacific Northwest

Cathy [email protected]

Southwest (CSLSA)

Rob [email protected]

Pacific Islands

Ralph [email protected]

AMERICAN LIFEGUARD MAGAZINE, SUMMER 2006 3

Bylaws and Policies

John “Chip” More,[email protected]

Certification

Eric [email protected]

Competition

Ed [email protected]

Development Sponsorship

Cathy [email protected]

Equipment Research

Dave [email protected]

Grant Solicitation

James [email protected]

Heroic Acts Awards

Adrianne [email protected]

International

Peter [email protected]

Junior Lifeguards

Reenie [email protected]

Magazine

Mike [email protected]

Membership

Charlie [email protected]

National Curriculum

Carl [email protected]

Public Education

Rob [email protected]

Public Information and

Media Relations

Tom [email protected]

Sign Standards

Ralph [email protected]

Statistics

Rick [email protected]

Ways & Means

Greg [email protected]

Website

Charlie [email protected]

USLA Special Assignments

I N T H I S I S S U E

United States Lifesaving Association Mission Statement

www.usla.org866-FOR-USLA (367-8752)

We are America’s nonprofit, professional association of beach life-guards and open water rescuers. USLA works to reduce the incidence ofdeath and injury in the aquatic environment through public education,national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levelsof lifeguard readiness, and other means. All correspondence other thanfor the magazine should be sent to: USLA Corporate Office, P.O. Box 366,Huntington Beach, CA 92648 or [email protected].

American Lifeguard MagazineAmerican Lifeguard Magazine is published tri-annually, and each

member of the USLA receives a one-year subscription as a provision oftheir paid membership. If you wish to publish an article or submit a letter to the editor, address all submissions to: American LifeguardMagazine, 15481 Cottonwood Circle, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647, [email protected]. Entire contents protected by the USLA. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise - without the prior consent ofALM. Unsolicited materials, including all photographs, are submitted atthe sender’s risk and ALM accepts no responsibility. The opinionsexpressed are strictly those of the contributors and do not necessarilyreflect the views of ALM or the USLA.

ALM Advertising Information The USLA manages the American Lifeguard Magazine and publish-

es it tri-annually with a Summer Issue (July 1), Winter Issue (Nov. 1), anda Spring Issue (Feb. 1). The 36 page publication is mailed directly to its13,000 members comprised of ocean lifeguards, administrators, juniorguards, competitors and alumni. The American Lifeguard Magazineserves to inform USLA members on a variety of public safety topics ranging from training and educational programs to innovative products,practices and services. More importantly, it is the only national maga-zine to target beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. The rates are:

Advertisement Size One Issue Three Issues Savings

Quarter page $175 $480 ($160 each) $45

Half page $285 $765 ($255 each) $90

Full page $450 $1200 ($400 each) $150

Full page (color) $500 $1320 ($440 each) $180

Inside Covers(color) $500 $1320 ($440 each) $180

Back Cover(color) $575 $1500 ($500 each) $225

Contact the Publisher/Editor, Michael S. Bartlett at (714) 345-5792,or email at [email protected] for questions or space reservations.

Editor’s Note: “If your photo is used on the cover of the ALM, theUSLA will send you a check for $100.00. Please send your photos on diskin the highest possible resolution, preferably taken with a digital camerawith 5 mega pixels or higher to: ALM Editor, 15481 Cottonwood Circle,Huntington Beach, CA 92647.”

4 AMERICAN LIFEGUARD MAGAZINE, SUMMER 2006

Cover Shot: Destin Beach lifeguard Jeff Anderson conducts a preventative action during his lifeguardtraining. Photo by Ron Brooks, Destin Beach, Florida.

IN THIS ISSUE

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Orange Beach Florida Junior . . . . . . . . . . . .6Guard Program Gets Vital Surf RescueTraining by USLA Certified Lifeguards

Two Boy Scouts to be nominated . . . . . . . .6for heroism

USLA Endorses Da Fin as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Official Swim Fin

Close Call at Jupiter, Florida, . . . . . . . . . . . .8Highlights One Family’s LifeguardExperience to Save Missouri Family

Pulling No Punches in Push for . . . . . . . . . .9Navy SEALs

Paralyzed Beachgoer Speaks . . . . . . . . . . .12Out to Avert Injuries

Nation's top doctor lauds area's . . . . . . . . .14water rescue teams

USLA's Nick Shriver Helps Train . . . . . . . . .16 Peru in Water Safety

PHOTOS: Seaford Flood, Deleware- . . . . . .20July 2006

A.L.M. - Issues Now Available at . . . . . . . .21www.usla.org

New Junior Lifeguard Program at . . . . . . .22Orange Beach, Alabama

PHOTOS: USLA National Surf . . . . . .24 & 25Lifesaving Championships 2006

Boy, 7, drowns at beach in . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Ocean City, NJ

Judge Robert Baxley, 76; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28a lifeguard who also loved the law

22nd All-Women Set for July 26 . . . . . . . . .29

Small Potatoes are the Sweetest . . . . . . . . .30

Training Class in Venezuela! . . . . . . . . . . . .32

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G EB. Chris Brewster, President - San Diego, CA

Therehas per-hapsneverbeen amore pro-pitiousmomentin the his-tory of theUSLA.Look backto theearlydays,when our

organization was assembled fromrepresentatives of just a few life-guard agencies in SouthernCalifornia. In those days, they had toappoint a Sergeant at Arms to keepthe cantankerous at bay. There wasall the passion that comes with life-saving, but sometimes it bubbledover into a little more.

As the USLA grew, so did thepotential for disagreement. Nationaldisparities in methods, traditions,seasons and personalities broughtmany challenges. Through it allthough, the core values we all sharekept us together. We argued, yes, butwe always focused on the basic needfor an organization that representsthe lifesavers of America, an organi-zation that moves us forward.Though today we are far larger andmore diverse in membership, we nolonger retain a Sergeant at Arms,because we don’t need one.

Our last two Board of Directorsmeetings, one in Dana Point and onein Annapolis, have been models ofcordiality. We have worked throughsome challenging issues in a dedi-cated spirit of accomplishing thebest outcomes for lifesaving. And wehave succeeded. We have focusednot on our differences, but on oursimilarities. We have focused onwhat we can accomplish when we allpull in the same direction. The

results have been extraordinary.Whether we face east, west,

north or south, we are all intent onthe same goal, which is to ensurethe safety of the throngs of beachgo-ers we watch over. We have an envi-able record. On average, there is asingle drowning death in a guardedarea for every 18 million visits to thebeaches we oversee. A patron visit-ing our beaches is probably morelikely to be struck by lightning or diein a car accident than to have a fatalmishap in the waters we watch over.

Meantime, USLA is involved ininnumerable critical initiatives, someof which will directly benefit you, ourmembers. Some examples:

DaFin Our Official Swim Fins:USLA has endorsed DaFin as theofficial swim fins of the UnitedStates Lifesaving Association. Theseexcellent fins are compact, ruggedand they float. They’ve been testedby the Hawaiian LifeguardAssociation in extreme conditionsand passed with flying colors. USLAmembers receive a $25 per pair dis-count when they visitwww.dafin.com.

Patagonia An Official Sponsor:Patagonia is now an Official Sponsorof the USLA and the exclusive cloth-ing sponsor of the USLA NationalLifeguard Championships. Famousfor its practical, rugged and stylishoutdoor sport clothing, Patagoniawill soon offer selected discounts onPatagonia products to USLA mem-bers. Check our website for details.Meantime, have a look atwww.patagonia.com.

Lifesaving Research: The USLAhas teamed with the American RedCross and the YMCA of the USA toconduct research to identify the best,evidence-based lifeguard practices.How long should a lifeguard watchthe water without a break? What arethe best methods for scanning? Weintend to find answers to these andmany other questions by employing

rigid scientific methodology.Public Education: The USLA has

teamed with the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration,including the National WeatherService and Sea Grant, to educatethe public about water safety. Ourhighly successful rip current educa-tion program has already had amajor impact, with signs posted andbrochures distributed nationwide,but there is much more to come. Weintend to create modules and mediato help chapters and lifesaving agen-cies with curricula for local publiceducation efforts aimed at schoolsand public groups.

International Aid: A number ofUSLA members have long beeninvolved in helping develop lifesav-ing in Mexico. That has culminatedin the creation of the MexicanLifesaving Association and theirapproval to the International LifeSaving Federation, standing side-by-side with the USLA on the interna-tional lifesaving scene. Meantime,our members have conducted train-ing and liaison with Argentina,Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, toname a few countries.

My thanks to all of the hard-working volunteers who compriseour organization, from coast to coastand throughout the islands. And ofcourse, a big thank you to theHuntington State Beach LifeguardAssociation for hosting this year’sNational Lifeguard Championships.

The USLA was founded toreduce death and injury in the aquat-ic environment through public edu-cation, national lifeguard standards,training programs, and promotion ofhigh levels of lifeguard readiness. Indoing so, we are committed to sup-porting you, our members. Supportthe organization that supports you.Sign up to become a member today.Meantime, see you on the beach!



ORANGE BEACH FLORIDA JUNIOR GUARD PROGRAM GETS VITALSURF RESCUE TRAINING BY USLA CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS

Melvin Shepard, Orange Beach, FloridaThe City of Orange Beach has had an established

Junior Lifeguard training for the past three years withinstruction based largely on programs set up by theAmerican Red Cross. After the recent success of theUnited States Lifesaving Association Southeast RegionSurf Lifesaving Academy which was taught in OrangeBeach May 22-27, the decision was made to incorporatethe surf-oriented rescue skills learned during the USLAAcademy to help the Orange Beach Junior LifeguardProgram excel. Since Orange Beach is located on theGulf Coast, it is imperative that course participants learnboth pool and open-water rescue skills.

Under the instruction of Lifeguard Instructor Joan-Marie Manolakis, the Junior Lifeguard Program partici-pants learned vital skills in all areas of water rescue.Students were instructed in the use of swim fins, rescueboards, rescue tubes, surf entry, and porpoising. In addi-tion, they learned necessary techniques to perform safeopen-water rescues. Students were taught CPR andFirst-aid to further emphasize safety, and promote self-confidence. Instructors covered how rip currents areformed and how to identify them along the beach.Students were also taught how to escape if caught in ripcurrents. Physical training was conducted daily, which

consisted of open-water swims, run-swim-runs, tubedrags, and conditioning runs. The results of the physicaltraining were improved self-confidence and strongerswimming skills. Participants were also given daily tasksto be completed as a group in order to teach teamworkand unity.

Due to the huge success of the summer’s first sessionof the O.B.J.G. Program a second session is beingoffered. In addition, the City of Orange Beach is consider-ing holding a Junior Lifeguard Competition at the conclu-sion of the summer so that participants can demonstratethe skills they have learned in front of their parents.

With the success of the USLA Surf LifesavingAcademy, taught by lifeguards from the USLA’sSoutheast Region, the City of Orange Beach is lookingforward to expanding their programs and promotingbeach safety along the Gulf Coast. The City of OrangeBeach would like to extend a special thanks to FortLauderdale Ocean Rescue Lt. Jim McCrady and LifeguardMitch McCrady and Los Angeles County, CaliforniaLifeguard Terry Rogaczewski for their hard work and ded-ication. The instruction they provided has been a hugefactor in the success of the City’s programs.

TWO BOY SCOUTS TO BE NOMINATED FOR HEROISMBy Joseph McCain, The Winston County Journal, Reprinted with permission

Kyle Donald and Scott Ming demonstrated quickthinking and courage last week when they saved the lifeof a fellow student. For their efforts, Paul D. "Big Iron"Thompson plans to nominate them for recognition fromthe Boy Scouts.

While participating at The Pensacola BaseballTourney March 11-15 in Pensacola Florida Kyle Donaldand Scott Ming demonstrated some of the lessons theylearned in boy scouts along with much bravery.

When a fellow student was pulled out into the danger-ous riptides, Kyle Donald reacted immediately upon see-ing a fellow student in distress and swam out to help him.

"It was just instinct to go when I saw him in trouble,"said Donald, a sophomore at Louisville High School. "Isaw him go under and he was shouting."

Donald swam out and got a hold of his teammate whohad been pulled out by rip currents from the water's edges.

Donald began helping his teammate go with the cur-rent and work their way back to shore.

"Every time we moved toward shore it seemed thewaves pressed us back," said Donald.

During one calm spell, the two swam hard for theshore moving closer to a human chain of rescuers thathad formed under Robert Higginbotham's instruction.

Scott Ming, seeing how close the two were, brokefrom the end of the chain to swim out and help pullthem back close enough to the chain of helping handsthat all could be pulled to shore.

"I'm thankful that I knew what to do at the time," saidDonald. "I'm thankful that the Boy Scouts taught me howto react and help."

"It was a frightening experience," said RobertHigginbotham. "Kyle put himself in grave danger to saveanother person's life."

Higginbotham noted that the students had beenwarned by the coaches not to be in the water since itwas a day of red flag conditions for the beaches.

to page 7...

Several of the coaches were in and around the beacharea and reacted immediately to provide help from try-ing to get the lifeguard to helping get the human chainformed and persons to join in.

"He got Kyle's attention and Kyle went out to him,"said Higginbotham. "We saw that they were in troubleand went into action."

Higginbotham began swimming toward the two butunderstanding the dangers of riptides he decided it bestto form a human chain to reach the two students.

"Everyone, even some of the students who could notswim, joined in on the chain," said Higginbotham notingthe inexperienced swimmers were safe near the shore.

"Kyle was helping hold him up in the water and theywere trying to get back toward shore," saidHigginbotham as the chain quickly formed and spannedthe stretch of the water almost to Kyle. Ming who was onthe end swam out to help Kyle and the other student get

to the team of rescuers."If Kyle had not seen him first who knows what

would have happened," said Higginbotham. "The goodLord worked a miracle from Kyle helping to the amountof people we were able to get in the human chain. Kylereally helped him hang in there."

Rip currents are narrow channels of water that flowseaward from the beach through breaking waves. Theyoccur when opposing currents meet and set up aswirling motion that can carry swimmers away fromshore. Rip currents are strong enough to sweep evenexperienced swimmers far out to sea where those whopanic can tire and drown. Anyone caught in a rip currentshould try to swim parallel to shore until free of thestream of water. Many persons have been in ankle deepor other shallow waters when tides come in with strongcurrents pull the person into the ocean.


TWO BOY SCOUTS TO BE NOMINATED FOR HEROISMfrom page 6

USLA ENDORSES DA FIN AS OFFICIAL SWIM FINUSLA Staff

The United States Lifesaving Association hasendorsed Da Fin as the Official Swim Fin for its mem-bers. In announcing the deal, B. Chris Brewster,President of USLA said, “Da Fin seems to be the swimfin of choice for many of our guards. The endorsementagreement with Da Fin secures special discount pricingfor all USLA Professional members which is availableimmediately. Next season, the discount pricing will alsobe offered to all Junior Lifeguard members.”

Da Fin Surfing Products is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.Jay Westcott, Managing Director of the company, said,“Our goal is to see Da Fin on the feet of every profes-sional lifeguard in the world so we are very excited tohave this opportunity to work closely with the USLA andits members.”

Da Fin was developed by Westcott’s partner, AndyCochran, an Aussie who has made Hawaii his home forthe past 28 years. Cochran had been a lifeguard atAustralia’s famous Bondi Beach and was one of Oz’searly surfing pioneers.

With input from world renowned pros in Hawaii suchas Mark Cunningham and Brian Keaulana, Cochrandeveloped his idea for a high performance swim finabout 10 years ago and was granted a U.S. Patent for hisunique design. The side rails --- the “strakes”--- on Da

Fin are rock solid but only run about half way down thelength of the fin where they angle back to the blade.This forces the fin to flex right at this critical point. Theraised v-shaped foot pocket combined with a stiff bladeworking together at the point of flex creates maximumacceleration of the water flowing over the fin surfaceresulting in more thrust per kick with less effort by theuser. For such a powerful fin, it is unusually light inweight. It has a comfortable foot pocket and it floats inthe ocean. There is no right or left foot difference so DaFin can be worn on either foot.

Da Fin has become a favorite of lifeguards, body-surfers, and top watermen around the world. TheHawaiian Lifeguard Association has made Da Fin standardissue equipment for its guards for the past eight years.

With Cochran’s Aussie connections, Da Fin was origi-nally manufactured in Australia. However, having themanufacturing so far from the major market of the UnitedStates presented too many logistics problems. In 2003,the manufacturing and distribution was moved toCalifornia so Da Fin is now a “Made in the USA” product.

For more information, see the ad in this issue ofAmerican Lifeguard Magazine or visit the company’swebsite at www.dafin.com.


CLOSE CALL AT JUPITER, FLORIDA, HIGHLIGHTS ONEFAMILY’S LIFEGUARD EXPERIENCE TO SAVE MISSOURI FAMILY

Peter Coveleski, Rehoboth Beach, DE

As a 42-year old formerRehoboth Beach patrol lifeguard inDelaware, I know and respect theocean to no end. But now, after anincident I was involved in, I respectthe fine job lifeguards do everydayeven more.

Late last year my family and Iwere enjoying some spirited surf inJupiter Florida. We were on thesouth side of the inlet and a strongnorthern flow was moving throughsome good-sized wind swept waves.I had my 12-year old and 9-year oldon some boogie boards while Ihelped them find the right wavethrough the choppy surf.

It was an effort to stay on footand I was constantly moving. After 45minutes or so we had managed tostay out of a few big rips and catch afew waves. My 14-year old joined mewhile the younger ones went infatigued. I was just about to get outmyself when I heard the yell “Help!Help!” I looked over towards the inletand saw two small children beingsucked out by a huge rip. My son wastwenty yards from me and he saw ittoo. I looked at the guard shack aquarter mile down the beach and did-n’t see anyone. At the same time thechild’s mother, not seen before, jumpsinto the rip and got sucked out afterthem. I was tired and though that thiscouldn’t be happening. I knew I had todo something quick.

I told my son to paddle over tothe farthest kid out. He had fins onand he has been in the junior life-guard program at Rehoboth Beachsince he was 10. I swam to themother. It didn’t take long with therip pulling like a train. Luckily asurfer came over and picked up oneof the kids. My son had the other kidand was attempting to get in. I hadthe panicked mother who was injean shorts and a dark t-shirt. She

was thrashing about. I saw no rea-son to throw a cross chest on her forshe was putting up a rapid, wilddoggy-paddle stroke. I told thewoman her kids were safe and beingbrought in. When she finallybelieved me, she stopped thrashingbut lost her ability to float and start-ed to sink. All I know is at that time Iwas struggling to keep her up. I did-n’t realize it at first but as we wereout there flowing closer to the inletand farther from the beach. My bat-tery was getting depleted.

When the beach guard finally gotdown the beach on his ATV, he gothis buoy out and rapidly went, to mydismay, to the kid on the surfboardnear shore. I was shouting to himfor help “over here!” In his defense,he really had three separate rescuesgoing on. He responded quickly to usafter realizing the first kid was okay,the second was doing well with myson, and other, well, we were notokay. With a few choice waves, finsand a boogie board, my son deliv-ered the young child safely to shore.

I was dead tired. I was kickingmy hardest to keep this lady afloat. Iwas glad the guard brought a buoy. Iremember thinking how hard it wasto pull someone in without a buoywhen I was a lifeguard. He buckledher in and she seemed more at easebut not much help in the rolling surf.I said, “I’m okay, I’m going to swimin.” I stroked toward shore but aftera good effort, I raised my head tosee how close the beach was andfound myself no closer. I tried againand felt almost embarrassed I wasn’tgetting far. The duty guard was hav-ing a hard time getting through therip himself. We couldn’t swim paral-lel because the hard drift was northand that direction was fast becomingalarming because of the rocks at theinlet entrance.

Meanwhile, my wife wasrestraining Samantha, my 17-yearold daughter who is a first yearRehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguard asshe pushed to go in and help.Samantha finally decided she knew Iwas in trouble and acted. I strokedsome more but my arms felt like aton of bricks. I have been exhaustedbefore during 5k’s, 10k’s, and a halfmarathon, and all that. But the clos-est I can relate the total heaviness Iwas experiencing here was like thelast 20 seconds of a wrestling match;sheer exhaustion removes your mus-cles from you brain’s control. I wasthat tired. I wasn’t gulping water anddidn’t feel panicky but I must say Iwas curiously conscious of the real-ization that I couldn’t get in on myown. I called for my daughterSamantha to bring me a boogieboard. She had already figured out Ineeded floatation and responded sofast I thought she had a Jet Ski.When she got to me she said, “Areyou okay dad?” I said, “no” grabbingthe board for welcome relief.

The surfer (actually an off-dutyguard) had retrieved a rescue boardfrom the lifeguard’s ATV unit aftersuccessfully getting the one kid in.He came back into the surf and posi-tioned the board next to my daugh-ter and I. Gladly I hopped on, as didmy daughter with a little coaxing. Wewashed safely to shore with the helpof a few waves.

The lifeguard had successfullynegotiated his way through the surfwith the mother. This was no routinerescue considering the conditionsand the rocky inlet looming closer allthe time. She lied down on thebeach breathing heavily. The chil-dren were near-by leaning back on asand shelf formed by the surf thathad carved it out. They didn’t have

to page 9...


CORONADO, Calif. -- As NavyEnsign Brandon lay slapped by waveafter black wave of frigid Pacific surf,his arms linked with a row of otherwould-be Navy SEALs, a cold butcomforting thought surfaced fromhis murky consciousness: "No matterwhat," he reassured himself, "they'renot going to kill me."

Shaking uncontrollably in thecold brine, the slight, 22-year-oldfrom Ohio dreaded the nighttime"surf torture" as one of the toughestordeals of the SEALs' aptly namedHell Week, designed to break downthe bodies and wills of all but thesteeliest young men.

Today, one of the Pentagon'smain dilemmas is how to get morecandidates such as Brandon to out-last the trials of selection -- withoutlowering standards -- as it tries toexpand the ranks of SEALs and otherelite U.S. military forces for criticalmissions in the war on terrorism.

Facing their biggest deploymentsin history, as much as 80 percent ofthe combat forces of the 53,000-strong U.S. Special Operations

Command -- including Navy SEALs,Army Green Berets and Rangers, andDelta Force operatives -- are commit-ted in Iraq, Afghanistan and sur-rounding countries. That leaves toofew for other vital missions, many ofthem clandestine, such as intelli-gence gathering and partnering withforces in nations where the UnitedStates is not at war, according tosenior military officials.

Stepped-up war-zone rotationsare cutting into training time, andshortages in the force mean hun-dreds of Special Operations jobs areunfilled, leading to more reliance oncivilian contractors, they said.

"We as a nation are taking greatrisk" by having too few maritimecommandos, said Rear Adm. JosephMaguire, commander of NavalSpecial Warfare Command (NSWC)here. NSWC should have 2,200SEALs but is undermanned by about400 men on SEAL teams and scoresof officers, he said.

The Pentagon in Februaryannounced a plan to add 13,000more Special Operations troops to

meet demands. But producing suchhighly skilled troops is not easy --especially as war, low unemploy-ment and negative health trendssuch as obesity shrink the military'soverall pool of candidates.

Of all the elite forces, SEALspose the biggest recruiting chal-lenge. The Pentagon's goal is to add500 new SEALs in the next twoyears. Maguire says 2010 is morerealistic. But the number of SEALapplicants has dwindled by hundredsin recent years. This year's goal is tobring in 1,400 to try out, but by lateApril, only 364 had been sent to bootcamp, according to Navy statistics."We're behind the power curve," saidEd Kearl, a Navy recruiting official.

Ground zero for the push to cre-ate more SEALs is the rugged beach-es and pounding surf off Coronado,where the young men of Basic UnderWater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)Class 259 found out who had "theright stuff."

PULLING NO PUNCHES IN PUSH FOR NAVY SEALSPentagon Looking to Increase Ranks Without Easing the Tough Training

Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post Staff Writer, Reprinted with permission

CLOSE CALL AT JUPITER, FLORIDA, HIGHLIGHTS ONEFAMILY’S LIFEGUARD EXPERIENCE TO SAVE MISSOURI FAMILY

from page 8

any bounce in them at the moment.I found out that the victims were

from Missouri and the one child hadgotten caught in a rip while onlyplaying in waist deep water. Thebrother had a cast on and he tried tohelp his brother. The mother was notprepared to go into the surf that daynor did she want to but was drivenby that maternal instinct all motherspossess.

The costs could have been heavy

that day. I think those three from the“Show-me” State would have beenstatistics if not for the efforts of theon-duty lifeguard, the off-duty life-guard, and my family (with variousguarding experience) 1100 milesfrom home.

In summary, I think my son Max(who’s a junior guard) showed signif-icant poise while my daughterSamantha (rookie lifeguard) showedcourage, judgment and ability. My

actions revealed that some of us for-mer lifeguards can never forget ourinstincts. The off-duty guard revealedhow unselfish he was to help out.And lastly, the on-duty guard didwhat we have all done by respond-ing, assessing and acting to the bestof his ability.

All in all, the end result was agood day for all guards young andold.

to page 10...


THE START OF HELL WEEKIt was a Monday night in May,

about 24 hours into Hell Week forClass 259, and Seaman Brian was sit-ting on the beach next to his rubberdinghy, eating a chili-mac packagedmilitary meal. For security reasons,all SEALs except senior leadersspoke on the condition that onlytheir first names be used.

Similar to the rest of his class,Brian had no sleep, was soaked andshaking. He had muscle cramps fromlunging with 15-foot-long sandy logs.His legs were chafed raw. "It's liketaking a piece of sandpaper to yourskin for a week," said Brian, 23, whois from Ventura, Calif.

As the sky darkened, the entiregroup knew what was next -- surf tor-ture (officially called "water immer-sion"), jumping on and off a pier andbeing hosed down with cold water.

Suddenly, Brian saw a friendstand and walk stiffly toward a bellhung on a wooden frame. Ringingthe bell was how candidatesdropped out. "Clang!"

"I was like, 'Wow,' " Brian said.Next, shocking everyone, the

Class 259 leader, known as the OICor "officer in charge," got up."Clang!" About 12 other recruits fol-lowed in a mass exodus. The classthat started in March with 193 menwas down to 100.

"It was a big psych for a lot ofguys because our OIC left. That washard," said Brian, who dropped outthe next morning, his right legswollen with tendinitis.

The buckling of the class leaderunderscored how difficult it is to pre-dict who will make it. "They don'twant to deal with the discomfort . . .it's kind of frustrating," said Capt.Christopher R. Lindsay, commanderof the Naval Special Warfare Center.To help more pass, Maguire saidthey may eliminate some "water

immersion" sessions.Finding candidates in top physi-

cal condition also helps, but untilrecently, concerns over legal liabilityprevented potential recruits frombeing given a swim test. "Theywould get to boot camp and, 'Oh, bythe way they can't swim,' " saidKearl, who said 70 percent of candi-dates were failing the test. "That's abig problem."

Now candidates must pass a 500-yard, 12 1/2 -minute swim test at theYMCA -- and do at least 50 sit-ups, sixpull-ups, 42 push-ups and a 1 1/2 -milerun -- or lose their SEAL contract.Those who pass with minimum stan-dards will earn a $1,000 bonus, and$2,000 goes to the best performers --but still only 60 percent succeed.

Maguire is also asking SEALinstructors to be less subjective indisqualifying candidates. But having"given enough flags away" to thefamilies of fallen SEALs, he says hecan't compromise the highly compet-itive standards.

"Everything is a race," saidLindsay, as the seven-man teams hitthe surf Tuesday in the red dinghiesthey carry everywhere.

"If you drop the boat, I will cutyour head off!" shouted a veteranSEAL instructor as he ordered lag-gard boat teams to race around andaround a building -- holding theirboats on their heads. "Nineteen, 20,21 . . . get back in line!" he barked tothe slowest team.

Garrett, 23, of Hilo, Hawaii, felthis arms start to give way. "Wewould come in last, and obviously itwas because of me," he said.Teammates complained. Instructorsput another recruit in his place toshow he was the "weak link."

Later Tuesday night, Garrettdropped out, adding another greenhelmet to the line representing thosewho failed.

STAGGERING TO THE FINISH LINEAt 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the

79 remaining candidates staggeredout of the mud flats of the 65-degreeSan Diego Bay, looking like a scenefrom "Night of the Living Dead."

"They're basically zombies," saidCmdr. Adam Curtis, looking on.Awake for 55 hours, the men couldonly shuffle. But they were expectedto follow directions.

Brandon, a boat team leader, washaving trouble.

"You're trying to cheat me, Sir,"berated an instructor. Brandon'steam had paddled their boat by handinstead of swimming beside it in thelast race. Now, they would pay theprice.

"Prepare down boat -- downboat! Prepare up boat -- up boat!"the instructor spat commands with abullhorn. Next the offenders had toroll in the sand.

"We're going to have a littlebath," the instructor said, orderingthem into the bay. Each time adevice beeped they bobbed under-water, green light sticks glowing eeri-ly on their life vests.

Hell Week is designed to simu-late the rigors of a combat mission."They can't say 'I quit' because noone will come get them," explainedCommand Master Chief Lu, a 25-yearNavy veteran and instructor. The endresult, Lu said, is impressive. On arecent tour in Baghdad, he foughtside by side with former SEAL stu-dents and found that "I trusted themas much as guys I was with 20years," he said.

To qualify, over a six-month peri-od SEAL candidates must swim 150miles in the ocean and run morethan 1,300 miles in sand wearingboots, and later they must learn todive, parachute, shoot and conductclose-quarters combat.

PULLING NO PUNCHES IN PUSH FOR NAVY SEALSfrom page 9

to page 27...


PARALYZED BEACHGOER SPEAKS OUT TO AVERT INJURIESJennifer Lenhart, Washington Post Staff Writer, Reprinted with permission

Excuse Josh Basile for hisbluntness. A wave tossed him intohard sand at Bethany Beach, Del.,two years ago, leaving him aquadriplegic. Now 20, thePotomac man is a speaker with astraight-up style and a messagepeople across the region are clam-oring to hear.

As beach season approaches,Basile is among those calling forsafety and caution when enteringocean waters. At a meeting of theU.S. Lifesaving Association inAnnapolis last week, Basile beganhis slide presentation to about 70professionals with this:

"I'm going to tell you how Iwound up in this wheelchair, whatI've been able to do since myinjury, and how I've been able tobattle through adversity and lead a productive life," hesaid. With that, about 70 meeting-goers who had beenmingling in the ballroom at the Radisson Hotel returnedto their seats. Basile moved succinctly through thedetails of the August day when, as a strapping 6-foot-1teenage tennis player, he had stood facing the shore inwaist-deep water and was felled by waves that slammedhim into the sand and fractured his fifth vertebra. "Ialways thought of sand as soft, and it's not," he said."When it gets wet, it's hard as concrete." He spoke thewords that appeared on another slide: "How have Ichanged?" "I've changed for the better," said Basile, whohas regained some movement in both arms and at theconference was able to manipulate a computer mouseon a tray on his lap.

Traveling with him to Annapolis was Susan Johnson,a Maryland woman whose son, Michael, died in an acci-dent six years ago at Rehoboth Beach, Del. The 24-year-old was caught in a rip current and drowned in the chop-py waters. His body washed ashore an hour or so afterhe disappeared, Johnson said. The accidents that struckthe Johnson and Basile families galvanized a disparateband of emergency service providers along the mid-Atlantic coast. The result was the creation of the OpenWater Rescue Program, the first formally coordinatedeffort of its kind in the country.

The program brings together lifeguards, certified

divers, police officers and para-medics in cross-training exerciseswith the U.S. Coast Guard andDelaware State Police helicopterrescue teams. As Todd Fritchman,captain of the Dewey Beach, Del.,patrol, explained the program andthe protocol for ocean rescues,Basile listened attentively in hispower chair. When it was his turnto speak, he launched into theocean safety issue with a slide thatsaid, "Why?" Basile was injured ona private beach. No signs wereposted, and no lifeguards were onduty. He wants to see a universalsystem of signs or flags that couldbe used on public and privatebeaches, anywhere people go intothe water. Green would mean it issafe to go into the water. Red

would mean it is not. He wants more research and statis-tics juxtaposing the number and location of injuriesalong beaches with where sand has been replenished.Scientists in Florida and other coastal states have beenasking lately whether slope changes at points where thewater level changes from shallow to deep have con-tributed to the extent and seriousness of injuries.

"Wavesare breakingat a steeperincline andthrowingpeople intothe sand,like myself,"he said."And it'screating anunnaturalwave pat-tern. It's justscary tohave myfamily andfriends go tothe beach."


NATION'S TOP DOCTOR LAUDS AREA'S WATER RESCUE TEAMSJim Cresson, Cape Gazette staff, Reprinted with permission

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. RichardCarmona spent two action-packedhours on Dewey Beach Aug. 2, firstwatching open-water mock rescuesand then participating in them.

America’s top doctor wasimpressed with the training and per-sonnel who participated in the FirstState’s first-ever United LifesavingProgram Open Water Rescue demon-stration in the waters off DeweyBeach.

After joining Dewey Beach Patrollifeguards in a state policeBlackhawk helicopter and jumping50-feet into the ocean for a mock res-cue with the local team, Carmonacalled the open-water rescue pro-gram “second to none; the best newprogram I’ve seen in my 4 1/2 yearsin office.”

Carmona liked the operation andits participants so much, he said hewould return at summer’s end withhis wife and children, who are juniorlifeguards.

Carmona, who holds the militaryrank of vice admiral as the nation’ssurgeon general, is an experiencedformer lifeguard and honorary mem-ber of the U.S. LifesavingAssociation. He was also a combatmedic with the 5th Special ForcesGroup in Vietnam, a nurse, a trauma

surgeon and an Arizona sheriffbefore being appointed as surgeongeneral.

The program was officiallyformed in 2001, when cross-trainingbegan for Dewey and Bethany Beachlifeguards, state police aviators andcertified divers, U.S. Coast Guard,state Division of Fish and Wildlifeagents, Sussex County paramedicsand Dewey Beach police. It becamethe first open-water rescue programin the entire nation, and was laudedby the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

“This was a great chance toshow off our rescue team,” saidDewey Beach Patrol Capt. ToddFritchman. “The surgeon generalwas impressed. He said that manytimes, and he’s coming back if possi-ble to see more of it.”

Efforts shed a positive light on area

Thumbs up to citizens

A number of recent initiatives byvarious groups of people, mainlyarea residents volunteering theirtime (some who don't get a pennyfor their work), deserve attention.

The training and expertise of agroup of people called the UnitedLifesaving Program Open WaterRescue garnered the attention ofU.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral

Richard Carmona. Carmona visitedDewey Beach Tuesday to watch life-guards, police, paramedics and vol-unteer emergency responders simu-late ocean rescues. He even jumpedfrom a helicopter himself and credit-ed the group for its skills and thetown for supporting it. He called therescue group "second to none."

The group isn't the only onebringing positive attention to thearea.

The following efforts deserve athumbs up:

∑The Delaware State Police havea proactive campaign under way toeducate cyclists along Route 1. Notonly are they ticketing violators andhanding out educational literature topromote safety, but the officers aregiving out gift certificates for areabusinesses to people obeying thelaws and wearing helmets.

∑Lewes resident Dick Thatcherhas been lauded by the governor asan outstanding volunteer of the yearfor his efforts to preserve and protectCape Henlopen State Park. He leadsthe park's Friends group, an organi-zation similar to many nonprofits inthe area that work to promote ourcommunity resources such as

to page 15...


NATION'S TOP DOCTORfrom page 14

libraries, parks and schools. All deserve appreciation. ∑A group of volunteers in Lewes who have impressive

plans to celebrate the 375th anniversary of Lewes next yearwith a slate of creative events. Kudos, too, to the businesseswho have already pledged financial support for those events,which include a sailing ships festival, an orchestra performanceand a black-tie gala.

∑Positive Growth Alliance members who put together asolid plan to resurrect a high school basketball tournament to beheld in Lewes after Christmas that will fill an economic void leftafter the former Slam Dunk to the Beach tournament dissipated.

∑County council members who found $100,000 in the budg-et to support the Bay Ball Classic.

Originally published Wednesday, August 3, 2005


USLA'S NICK SHRIVER HELPS TRAIN PERU IN WATER SAFETYPeter Davis, Galveston, TX

The following are excerpts fromNick Shriver’s trip to Peru where herepresented both the United StatesLifesaving Association and theInternational Lifesaving Federation ata Seminar and competition. Nick isfrom the Northwest Region of USLAand regularly attends the bi-annualmeetings. He has made significantcontributions to the Public EducationCommittee, the Junior LifeguardCommittee, and others. Nick spent hisown time and money to help out.From what I gather, the president ofthe Peruvian Lifeguarding Associationwas very impressed with Nick and theinformation he shared with our lifesav-ing brothers and sisters in Peru. Nickeven won the physical competition onthe last day!

Due in large part to Nick’s actionsand personal contact with lifeguards inthe area, the ASP has now submittedan application to join ILS as a corre-sponding member. The application willbe reviewed by the board in Sept 2006.

It is through the selfless actions ofpeople like Nick, who put the needs ofothers ahead of his own, that world-wide lifesaving is advancing paso porpaso (step by step). Thank you Nick!

After 35 years nobody in Peru hasformed a lifesaving team to preparePeru for natural disasters such asearthquakes, tsunamis, and floods.With the probability of these naturaldisasters occurring, it’s vital to havelifeguards prepared to assist as part ofPeru’s emergency response resources.

The Peruvian Lifeguard Association(ASP, initials in Spanish) has 17 yearsstanding with 403 members from Peru.Members are from various back-grounds, including: firefighters, police

officers, Red Cross volunteers, civildefense soldiers, teachers, divers, andmilitary personnel.

The first ever InternationalLifesaving and Water Rescue Seminarfor Emergency Situations held in Lima,Peru, December 15-17, 2005. It wasdedicated to the advancement of theASP. The ASP, in turn, learned newrescue techniques, developed emer-gency procedures for natural disas-ters, and introduced new safety prac-tices through the collaboration andexchange of ideas form differentexperts in the field of lifesaving. Oneof the basic ideas shared was theproblem that lifeguards are indemand; and that every good swim-mer should be a lifeguard.

Being the only international repre-sentative my goal was to share asmany ideas and techniques as possi-ble through presentations, instruction,demonstrations, evaluating currentstandards, making recommendations,and sharing resources of information.One of my goals was to get ASP tosee the importance of joining theInternational Lifesaving Federation(ILS).

The first day consisted of discus-sion and expositions. Speakers includ-ed experts in the field in lifesaving,including: ASP’s President who inau-gurated the seminar (Captain LuisHermoza), a nurse, a psychologist, acivil defense representative, and me anUnited States Lifeguard Association(USLA) and East Bay Regional ParkDistrict/Aquatics (EBRPD) representa-tive; all shared information, ideas, andanswered questions. I shared basicinformation such as preventive life-guarding strategies, preventing disease

transmission, and rescue techniques.The second day took place at the

Rimac River in Lima and was spentpracticing and certifying lifeguards inriver rescue. The basic techniquestaught was having the ability to crossthe river using a rope and buoy andbeing able to rescue a victim caught inthe river. After the river rescue prac-tice the rest of the day was spent atthe National Stadium’s pool where theparticipants were evaluated. All par-ticipants successfully demonstratedtheir ability to make rescues. The onlything that lacked from the programwas rescue equipment. Basic rescueequipment such as rescue tubes/cans,rescue boards, fins, and disposablegloves/pocket masks were missing.The most important step for ASPwould be to acquire such equipment.

The third day was spent at beachin Lima known as “Aguas Dulces.”The day’s topics included boat res-cues, rescue dogs, and a grand finaleof a lifeguard competition.

The seminar was concluded withan award ceremony and closing ban-quet at the host hotel, awarding certifi-cates to all participants.

ASP plans to continue evolving byjoining the ILS and hosting anotherseminar in 2006. The seminar willinclude an educational conference, res-cue simulations, and a lifeguard com-petition with ILS events. ASP wouldlike to learn more about first aid andmodern equipment practices alongwith hopes of one day hosting an ILScompetition. There is a lot of work tobe done in Peru and the opportunitiesare endless. This is a good example ofthe evolution of lifesaving on a globallevel and that the advancement of life-saving is a global issue.


SEAFORD FLOOD, DELEWARE- JULY 2006all photos by Dr. Peter Hartsock, US Public Health Service


A.L.M. - ISSUES NOW AVAILABLE AT WWW.USLA.ORGMichael S. Bartlett, Huntington Beach, CA

If you’re a passionate lifesaver like me, then you’veprobably saved all of your American Lifeguard Magazinesas I have. As the ALM Editor, I’ve answered numerouscalls and emails from many passionate lifesavers acrossthe nation who want to get their hands on missing backissues to complete their collections. Unfortunately, thoseoriginal back issues are gone forever.

In response to meeting this demand and USLA mem-bers seeking information on USLA’s history, competitionresults, archival photographs, educational and profes-sional articles, the American Lifeguard Magazine backissues are now available for free in a downloadable PDFfile at www.usla.org. Currently, there are five of the mostrecent issues available online with many more ALMs tocome. The goal is to have all the back issues archived onUSLA’s website within a few years.

For the history buffs, the first issue was called theOcean Lifeguard Magazine compiled by Editor Buddy

Bohn (LA County, CA) and Assistant Editor ThomasChorneau (LA County, CA) and administered by theNational Surf Life Saving Association. Formerly calledNSLSA, the USLA was then headed by Sheridan Byerly(San Clemente, CA), Dick Miller (Long Beach, CA), MaxBowman (Huntington Beach, CA) and Larry Gibson(Newport Beach, CA), president, vice president, treasurer,and secretary, respectfully. The 1978 first issue containedseveral informative articles like “The inlandrescue…added responsibility,” “Eyes of Lifeguards”, and“Copguards: San Clemente confronts crime on thebeach.” Some things haven’t changed.

Issues prior to the year 2000 were not electronicallyfiled and need to be manually scanned, page by page, 36pages per issue going back to Nov. 1978 Vol. 1, No. 1.Obviously, scanning all the back issues is a monumentaltask and will take some time to complete. At this pointthrough the unselfish efforts of Charlie Hartl, USLAMembership Chair, and Tim Gallagher, former ALMEditor, all of the ALM back issues have been located andcentrally stored awaiting to be electronically archived.

If you want to help be apart of the USLA history andthe American Lifeguard Magazine, you can. The ALMneeds your help in generating new photos for our futureissues. If you submit a photograph in which we publishon the front cover of the ALM, you will receive the $100Cover Shot Incentive. If you want to submit a photo tobe considered as the cover shot, you should have takenthe photograph yourself or have rights to use it. Pleasesend it on disc taken with a digital camera with at least 5mega pixels in the highest resolution possible to ALMEditor, 15481 Cottonwood Circle, Huntington Beach, CA92647 with your name, address, and a brief descriptionof the photo (who, what, where, when).


NEW JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM AT ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMAUSLA Staff

The City of Orange Beach has had an establishedJunior Lifeguard training for the past three years withinstruction based largely on programs set up by theAmerican Red Cross. After the recent success of theUnited States Lifesaving Association Southeast RegionSurf Lifesaving Academy which was taught in OrangeBeach May 22-27, the decision was made to incorporatethe surf-oriented rescue skills learned during the USLAAcademy to help the Orange Beach Junior LifeguardProgram excel. Since Orange Beach is located on theGulf Coast, it is imperative that course participants learnboth pool and open-water rescue skills.

Under the instruction of Lifeguard Instructor Joan-Marie Manolakis, the Junior Lifeguard Program partici-pants learned vital skills in all areas of water rescue.Students were instructed in the use of swim fins, rescueboards, rescue tubes, surf entry, and porpoising. In addi-tion, they learned necessary techniques to perform safeopen-water rescues. Students were taught CPR andFirst-aid to further emphasize safety, and promote self-confidence. Instructors covered how rip currents areformed and how to identify them along the beach.Students were also taught how to escape if caught in ripcurrents. Physical training was conducted daily, which

consisted of open-water swims, run-swim-runs, tubedrags, and conditioning runs. The results of the physicaltraining were improved self-confidence and strongerswimming skills. Participants were also given daily tasksto be completed as a group in order to teach teamworkand unity.

Due to the huge success of the summer’s first sessionof the O.B.J.G. Program a second session is beingoffered. In addition, the City of Orange Beach is consider-ing holding a Junior Lifeguard Competition at the conclu-sion of the summer so that participants can demonstratethe skills they have learned in front of their parents.

With the success of the USLA Surf LifesavingAcademy, taught by lifeguards from the USLA’sSoutheast Region, the City of Orange Beach is lookingforward to expanding their programs and promotingbeach safety along the Gulf Coast. The City of OrangeBeach would like to extend a special thanks to FortLauderdale Ocean Rescue Lt. Jim McCrady and LifeguardMitch McCrady and Los Angeles County, CaliforniaLifeguard Terry Rogaczewski for their hard work and ded-ication. The instruction they provided has been a hugefactor in the success of the City’s programs.


USLA Executive Board 2006


"USLA National Surf LifesavingChampionships 2006" Thank you to the California State Parks

for Hosting Nationals at Huntington State Beach on August 10-12, 2006

All photos taken by Michael S. Bartlett, Huntington Beach, CA

Born from World War II underwa-ter demolition units, Navy Sea AirLand teams focus on maritime skills,including diving, forced ship board-ings, laying undersea charges andreconnaissance. But today, SEALsare occupied mainly on land. Most16-man SEAL platoons are in Iraqtraining Iraqi forces, using snipers towatch for insurgents planting bombsand guarding Iraqi leaders.

New missions, many secretive,are creating demands for a morediverse force trained in language andculture. "We are a relatively white,non-Hispanic force. It's nice to havesomeone who can blend in more,"said Capt. Gary Bonelli, NSWC chiefof staff. Class 259 has only a handfulof minorities.

SEAL recruiters this year areattending dozens of events, such as

wrestling matches and "X-games,"manning a new call center, and offer-ing a $40,000 bonus to all newSEALs, said recruiting chief CmdrDuncan A. Smith.

Still, nothing can guarantee thatrecruits will have the tolerance forstress, flexibility and what Lindsaycalls the "fire in the gut" that psycho-logical studies show is critical.

By Friday morning, the class wasdown to 73, having lost a few moreto pneumonia and injuries. In afinale, the exhausted recruits had tolow-crawl from the beach to anobstacle course obscured withsmoke and rocked by the blast ofsimulated grenades. Worming theirway under concertina wire asinstructors fired off blanks fromrifles, they slid through a drainpipeinto a muddy pool. Barely able to

move his legs, Brandon draggedhimself forward with his arms, thirdto last.

"You knew you'd never quit. . . .The courage, the mental toughnessis contagious," Lindsay told thebedraggled class on the beach after-ward. "You guys are what we want towork with to become Navy SEALs!"

"Hooyah!" Class 259 yelled.Relaxing later in dry clothes with

a pizza and Gatorade, the victoriousfew reflected on how they made it."It's just putting one foot in front ofthe other," said Brandon, rubbingswollen calves.

Still shivering, Airman Brandonsaid that after his body broke down,his mind took over. "The main thing Ithought about," he said, "was doingthings that every guy dreams ofdoing, but few do."


PULLING NO PUNCHES IN PUSH FOR NAVY SEALSfrom page 10


BO Y, 7, D R O W N S AT B E A C H I N OC E A N CI T Y, NJTom Namako, Staff Writer, reprinted with permission

OCEAN CITY - A 7-year-old boy from Philadelphiadrowned in the ocean Sunday evening with his familynearby, law-enforcement officials said.

Ocean City police received a call at about 6:30 p.m.that the boy was swept into the water by a rip current onthe south side of the jetty near Sixth Street.

The boy was in the water for about 30 minutes as aCoast Guard helicopter, fire department boats and vari-ous onlookers searched the area for him, Ocean Citypolice Sgt. Timothy Williams said.

"We had numerous onlookers trying to spot him andthere were also some surfers looking for him as well,"Williams said.

A police officer pulled the boy from the water, and

fire department officials administered CPR at the scene,Williams said.

The boy was still being given CPR when he wastaken to Shore Memorial Hospital at 7:20 p.m., Williamssaid. He was pronounced dead at the hospital

shortly after."Everything possible was done to save him,"

Williams said, adding that the current near theWonderland Pier was strong.

Lifeguards were not on duty at the time the boy wentinto the water, police said.

Authorities would not release the boy's or family'sname Sunday night.

J U D G E R O B E R T B A X L E Y, 76 ; A L I F E G U A R DW H O A L S O L O V E D T H E L AW

Jack Williams, Staff Writer, reprinted with permission

Judge Robert C. Baxley was as adoer and a dreamer. He poured asmuch energy into a vigorous recre-ational agenda as he did into thelegal profession he loved.

"He was a total Renaissanceguy," said Superior Court JudgeFrederic Link, a friend and longtimecolleague. "His friends ranged fromsurf bums to Nobel Prize winners."

Judge Baxley, who retired fromthe San Diego Superior Court benchin 1998 after suffering a stroke, diedMonday at his home in Point Loma.He was 76. He had been sufferingfrom respiratory complications, hisfamily said.

Appointed to the Superior Courtbench by then-Gov. Pete Wilson in1992, he "loved being a judge andwas heartbroken when he had toleave," Link said.

After retiring, Judge Baxleywrote the second of two books, "AMiscellaneous Lawyer," and traveledthe world.

"A lot of us say we want to dothings and never do," Link said. "Bob

would do it."By the time he began practicing

law in 1965, the lifelong San Dieganhad acted in stage productions,served in the Air Force and workedas a lifeguard.

To pay his way through lawschool at the University of SanDiego, he inspected pipe beinginstalled for the Point Loma sewageoutfall as a deep-sea diver.

At USD, he was founding editorof the law review and graduated withhonors in 1964. He then served as aresearch assistant to appellate courtJustice Gerald Brown.

Judge Baxley was the originallawyer for the Chart House restau-rant chain, which was founded inSan Diego in 1971.

"He was the miscellaneouslawyer," Link said. "He took on any-thing - cases that others wouldn'teven think about."

In 1970, the lawyer went upagainst the National Football League.His client was Houston Ridge, a SanDiego Chargers defensive lineman

who claimed steroids and drugsadministered by the team con-tributed to a diseased hip. The casewas settled out of court.

Judge Baxley's pioneering legalwork on the issue led to an awardfrom the NFL Retired PlayersAssociation.

"It was the first case that weknow of that we were able to get anddocument what the drug practiceswere with various teams, especiallythe Chargers," he told The Tribunein 1988.

In 1975, he represented BlackPanthers co-founder EldridgeCleaver, who had jumped bail afterbeing charged with attempted mur-der and fled to Algeria and laterParis. Tried upon his return to theUnited States, Cleaver was sen-tenced to probation.

Another high-profile client wasOakland Raiders owner Al Davis,who was sued by then-Chargersowner Gene Klein in 1986. Kleinattributed his 1981 heart attack to

to page 29...


J U D G E R O B E R T B A X L E Y, 76from page 28

distress caused by Davis during Klein's testimony in anantitrust lawsuit over Davis' announced move of theRaiders from Oakland to Los Angeles. Klein was awardeda $10 million judgment that was reduced to $2 million byan appellate court.

Robert Carroll Baxley, known to close friends as"Bax," was born Aug. 20, 1929. He lived in a convertedgarage at Mission Beach as a youth and sold peanuts atSan Diego Padres games at Lane Field for pocket money.

On his 17th birthday, he joined the Army Air Forces.When he returned to civilian life after three years, heworked as a lifeguard in Ocean Beach and attended whatis now San Diego City College.

"Whenever people asked him what he did, evenwhen he was a Superior Court judge, he would say, 'Iused to be a lifeguard,' " longtime friend Doug Reynoldssaid. "Being a lifeguard was the highlight of his life."

He went on to major in drama at San Diego StateCollege and appeared in stage productions at the Old

Globe Theatre, Coronado Playhouse and La JollaPlayhouse.

His lifeguard duties spawned a 1998 memoir of sorts,"The Lifeguards," which he subtitled "A Reminiscence ofWest Coast Beaches in the 1950s."

In 1985, Judge Baxley sailed his 20-foot trimaran inthe Gulf of California, visiting Mexican islands from SanFelipe to Bahia de Los Angeles. He slept on beaches oron the wing nets of the boat's pontoons, and he gath-ered rare shells along the beaches.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda Romero of SanDiego; son, Bret Baxley of Point Loma; brother, GeorgeBaxley of New Mexico; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Private services are scheduled. Cremation is planned,with ashes to be scattered at sea. Donations are suggest-ed to the Surfrider Foundation, P.O. Box 1511, SolanaBeach, CA 92075.

22 N D A L L -W O M E N S E T F O R J U LY 26Carl Martinez, Mid-Atlantic

Expect plenty of dramatic action when the 22nd annual All-Women Lifeguard Tournament is held at the SandyHook, New Jersey, field unit of GatewayNational Recreation Area on Wednesday,July 26. The National Park Service hoststhis meet — the largest of its kind in theworld exclusively for women — to show-case the high level of fitness and skill thatwomen bring to surf-lifeguard work. Themeet provides role models who serve toencourage others to consider this still-nontraditional line of work for women. Itis open to any woman employed as alifeguard on a paid or unpaid basis by theorganization she represents, whether atan ocean, bay, lake, river, or pool in theUnited States of America or abroad.There is no entry fee. Events begin at 9a.m. and will include tests of stamina andskill in such aspects of surf-lifeguardwork as running, swimming, rowing, andpaddling a surfboard. The meet is opento the public. For more information, call1–800–678–7946. (Photo credit: MaryDiBiase Blaich for National Park Service.)


S M A L L P O TAT O E S A R E T H E S W E E T E S TUSLA Staff

On August 8 and 9, 2006, Destin Beach Safety heldthe first annual Panhandle Lifeguard Relays. The raceconsisted of eight events: swim relay, board rescuerelay, surf rescue relay, board relay, run relay, line pull,kayak relay, and Iron Person relay. Each event consistedof four person teams and had to either have a femalecompetitor or someone over age 30. This was done soeveryone at each agency had a chance to compete.

Although this was not the first race held in the area,it was certainly one of the most exciting. The agencies inattendance were South Walton lifeguards, Sunset/Okaloosa lifeguards, and Destin Beach Safety lifeguards.Points were kept, but were not the main emphasis.

South Walton Beach Safety Director Gary Wise andDestin Beach Safety Division Chief Joe D’Agostino haveboth participated in regional, national, and world events.

For them to be a part of competitive lifeguard racing at agrass roots level was extremely exciting.

“I have been to a bunch of these and this was by farthe best. The people in this area have just started in theprofession and are putting forth an unbelievable effort,”D’Agostino said.

Destin totaled the most points followed by SouthWalton and Sunset/Okaloosa Island. The Panhandle areais in the process of starting the Emerald Coast Chapter ofthe USLA and beginning to compete on a regional andnational level.

Chief D’Agostino added, “Just three years ago, therewere eight drownings on a single day on the Panhandle,now we have kids catching runners in paddleboardraces, we are progressing. In the end, everyone in thisarea comes out a winner.”

Winter 2005-06 proved to be challenging for California lifeguards. It was a REAL "Big Wednesday" before Christmas shown here at Marina Del Rey, LA County, California.

No, the sailboat didn't make it. Photo by Dave Story, LA County.


USLA's Newest Life Members (left to right), Ed Kiziukiewizc (Mid-Atlantic), Ed Zebrowski (Mid-Atlantic), and Andrew Healey (Mid-Atlantic)

USLA Awards Medal of Valor to Michael S.Bartlett, Huntington Beach Marine Safety OfficerII, for rescuing 4 swimmers caught in a rip currenton March 3, 2005. Two victims were semi-conscious(one submerged) and transported to the hospitalas near drownings. They were later released witha full recovery.

Photo by Dr. Peter Hartsock (left to right: Adrianne Groh, Heroic Acts Chair, Mike Beuerlein CSLSA Secretary, Mike Bartlett, USLA Pres. B. Chris Brewster, and Mid-Atlantic Pres. Ed Zebrowski (USLA Host).


T R A I N I N G C L A S S I N V E N E Z U E L A !Peter Davis, Galveston, TX

The, thin, cold mountain airburned in my lungs and my legswere starting to shake from the exer-tion. Despite the early hour and thecool temperature, I could already feelthe intensity of the tropical sun onmy head. The 8 Venezuelan YMCApool lifeguard instructors I was work-ing with called out cadences to moti-vate the 21 students in the class.Despite the pain in my body, I felt anincredible sense of euphoria. It wasonly the second day of our surf life-guarding/supervisor academy and I already realized thatthis was looking to be the best teaching experience inmy 18 or so years of lifeguard instruction. As my atten-tion drifted back to the moment I realized that as the leadinstructor, I had to set and example. Doing my best tohide my rasping breath, I turned back to the line thatwound down the mountain like a snake and joined thecadence, “Va bien muchachos, va bien!”.

The course itself was an instructors dream. Afterarriving last April, we went to a very “rustic” YMCAcamp in the mountains a couple of hours from Caracas.We were completely isolated there for 3 days of lifesav-ing and one day of mountaineering and rope work (awelcome change of pace!). From there, we went to asmall fishing village on the beautiful Caribbean coast for4 full days in the surf environment. There were too manyhigh points to mention. One day we took a long run toan amazing waterfall where we practiced the basics ofswift water rescue. Towards the end we had final writtenand physical exams. The last day we headed up a hugescenario with a couple of EMS groups, State Firefighters,the Venezuelan Navy, Coast Guard, and the NationalMarine Firefighters. This took place on a holiday at a

busy beach. We simulated a masscasualty incident of a boat explosionwith twenty victims. The newly grad-uated lifeguards really impressed theother groups and the press as well asthe huge crowd that gathered towatch. At the debriefing that ensued,there was talk of these groups get-ting together every month or two topractice working together in a varietyof scenarios.

A little over a year before, I hadthe good fortune to join an interna-

tional team of instructors and presenters in the first everwater safety congress and surf lifesaving class in thecountry. There were volunteers from Argentina, Brazil,Spain, Portugal, and the United States. A variety of bothgovernmental and NGO groups joined together with the

YMCA Caracas to host the events and to try to figure outa plan to combat drownings that are occurring at analarming rate along the 2,500 kilometers of coastline inVenezuela. The conference was a big success and after-wards the presenters and a small group of YMCA poolinstructors went to a small fishing village to focus onbridging the gap between instruction of pool guardingand open water/surf lifesaving.

Since the course, representatives from the YMCAcame to Texas to audit our lifeguard and supervisoracademies in Galveston along with a group from neigh-boring Trinidad and Tobago. It seems like every time I’mlucky enough to be involved in any kind of internationalor exchange I learn so much from other groups.

I was, and still am, very impressed with the qualityand enthusiasm of the instructors and management of

to page 33...


T R A I N I N G C L A S S I N V E N E Z U E L A !from page 32

the YMCA. They have now joined ILS as AssociateMembers and have formed a coalition with the afore-mentioned groups. The goal is that these groups work-ing together will initiate lifeguarding programs along thecoast. The plan is that the group of instructors I had theprivilege to work with will run training courses in eachstate that makes up part of the coastline. While this isgoing on the coalition is also working on getting thenational government to adopt a law that requires life-guards in heavily populated beaches, developing a water

safety awareness campaign for the people of Venezuela,and (most importantly) figuring out how to provide fund-ing for the different lifeguard agencies planned for theVenezuelan coast. It seems that in many situationschange is effected through the energy of one personwho really believes in the cause and has a vision. In thiscase, I would have to say there are many people andgroups who have helped to gain the momentum, butnone more charismatic and influential than WandaVargas Rehak with the YMCA Caracas.

Venezuela is a really beautiful place. The scenery,music, food, and variety of cultures mix to make it one ofthe most interesting places I’ve been. The people havestrong opinions about their political views, but still seemto have an overall awareness that they are all“Venezolanos” I’ve been a few times and can’t wait untilmy next visit. In a country that has been so wracked withpolitical upheaval and natural disasters, it has been a priv-ilege to be a small part of such a positive movement todecrease the aquatic accidents on their beautiful beachesand waterways. We should be able to see some signifi-cant changes in Aquatics in Venezuela in the near future.

Gracias para todo Venezuela!


Maryland House of Delegates Majority Wip Joan Stern presenting the citation for USLA to President B. Chris

Brewster and Dr. Peter Hartsock, US Public Health Service.

summer 2006 · 2018-04-04 · es it tri-annually with a summer issue (july 1), winter issue (nov....

Documents