Treasure Coast beach safety has significantly improved in recent years, with lifeguard teams in St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties adopting proactive measures to prevent incidents and ensure public safety. Increased attendance at beaches across these counties underscores the importance of lifeguard presence and effective safety protocols. If you’re planning a visit, check out the best beaches near Port St. Lucie to explore.
Enhanced Lifeguard Practices on Treasure Coast Beaches
At Waveland Beach in St. Lucie County, visitors like Kim Lang, 65, from Ohio, emphasize the importance of lifeguard presence. Lang specifically chose Waveland Beach due to its lifeguards, bathrooms, and convenient parking, highlighting the critical role lifeguards play in beach selection.
Lt. Morgan Harmon, a lifeguard supervisor in St. Lucie County, stresses the importance of proactive lifeguarding, saying, “a good lifeguard is a dry lifeguard,” referring to the strategy of preventing incidents before they occur. St. Lucie County operates two guarded beaches—Pepper Park Beach and Waveland Beach—covering approximately 300 yards of coastline. For national beach safety guidelines, visit NOAA’s official website.
Martin County’s Ocean Rescue Initiatives
Martin County has also taken significant steps to improve beach safety. Ocean Rescue Chief Ian Montgelas reports increased staffing, upgraded lifeguard towers, enhanced social media communication, and expanded public education efforts. Martin County’s guarded beaches include Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach, Bathtub Beach, and Hobe Sound Beach, collectively covering around one mile of coastline.
Attendance at Martin County’s guarded beaches rose from approximately 927,000 visitors in 2020 to over 1.2 million in 2023. Despite increased attendance, proactive measures have helped manage rescue numbers, with 119 rescues recorded in 2023 compared to 102 in 2020.
Indian River County’s Lifeguard Operations
Indian River County operates four guarded beaches: Round Island, Tracking Station, Wabasso, and Golden Sands. Jonathan Billings, the county’s ocean rescue supervisor, emphasizes the importance of preventative actions, such as intervening when swimmers enter rip currents or when children are unsupervised.
Beach attendance in Indian River County increased from 393,320 visitors in the fiscal year beginning October 2020 to 570,442 visitors in the fiscal year starting October 2023. Rescue numbers remained steady at 17 rescues during both periods. However, local wildlife faces additional threats, such as the invasive tegu lizard infestation, which could disrupt the region’s ecosystem.
Vero Beach Lifeguard Efforts
Vero Beach maintains three guarded beaches: Humiston, Jaycee, and South Beach. Jim O’Connell, director of the Vero Beach Recreation Department, notes a decrease in beach attendance from 432,787 visitors in 2020 to 300,876 in 2023, alongside a reduction in rescues from 35 to 13. Despite fewer visitors, lifeguards continue to prioritize preventative actions.
Challenges in Lifeguard Staffing
Across the Treasure Coast, a national shortage of lifeguards poses staffing challenges. Indian River County requires rigorous physical and medical testing for applicants, including swimming 500 meters in under 10 minutes and completing a surf rescue test within six minutes.
Martin County currently employs 25 lifeguards, having recently added four full-time positions to address staffing needs. Indian River County has nine full-time and twelve part-time lifeguards, with open positions remaining difficult to fill. Harmon from St. Lucie County notes the challenge of retaining long-term lifeguards due to the physically demanding nature of the job and required certifications.
Upgraded Equipment and Response Capabilities
To enhance beach safety, Treasure Coast counties have invested in new equipment. Indian River County acquired an off-road vehicle, advanced airway devices, and automated external defibrillators. Similarly, St. Lucie County recently upgraded its off-road vehicles and anticipates new lifeguard towers soon.
Martin County expanded its fleet of ATVs and side-by-side vehicles, improving response capabilities for emergencies beyond immediate lifeguard areas. However, dry weather conditions can also impact beach safety, as seen in the recent dry weather forecast that has increased fire risks across the region. For additional beach safety tips, visit the American Red Cross.
Visitor Perspectives on Lifeguard Presence
Visitors consistently express appreciation for lifeguard presence. Mark O’Donnell, 76, at Waveland Beach, emphasizes the “security” lifeguards provide. Similarly, Mike Mingione, 37, visiting Bathtub Beach with his family, acknowledges the reassurance lifeguards offer, even though his family typically visits unguarded beaches.
Kim Carlin, 58, from New York, also visiting Waveland Beach, highlights the importance of lifeguards for non-swimmers, noting their presence as a critical safety measure.
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