One Dead, 195 Rescued

[Feralpeg]

One man drowned and 195 people had to be rescued in Volusia county today. The really sad part about this is that it isn't unusual. Swimming in the ocean isn't like swimming in a pool. They post signs about rip currents. They talk about it on TV all the time. People don't pay any attention. I give great credit to the lifeguards that man the beaches on the Atlantic side. They earn their pay!

 

[Michie]

195 just today?? In the same area? Is that a normal day???

 

[disykat]

We went swimming in California on our vacation a few weeks ago. We were at Hunnington Beach (near DL). There were warnings posted, lifeguards on shore, lifeguards in a boat, and also a helicopter going over - all shouting out to stay close to shore to avoid a rip tide. There were many people who simply wouldn't abide by the rule. We saw one actual rescue. Lots of people watched and then went right back out to the area they were trying to keep people away from.

I don't see how they can possibly pay those lifeguards enough to do what they do after watching that for an afternoon.

196 people in a day

 

[Marion]

Gah... they should do a tag and release after a rescue.... if they go back, call it Darwinism in action!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Not surprising, and not sure why that is. Having lived there, I was shocked at the number of people that actually have no problem walking or running in thunderstorms. You would think they had a bubble around them to protect them from LIGHTENING!!

 

[Virgo10]

Gah... they should do a tag and release after a rescue.... if they go back, call it Darwinism in action!

Tag and release... ITA with what you said. What morons.

 

[epcotfan]

Gah... they should do a tag and release after a rescue.... if they go back, call it Darwinism in action!

 

[Sherri]

We went swimming in California on our vacation a few weeks ago. We were at Hunnington Beach (near DL). There were warnings posted, lifeguards on shore, lifeguards in a boat, and also a helicopter going over - all shouting out to stay close to shore to avoid a rip tide. There were many people who simply wouldn't abide by the rule. We saw one actual rescue. Lots of people watched and then went right back out to the area they were trying to keep people away from.

I don't see how they can possibly pay those lifeguards enough to do what they do after watching that for an afternoon.

196 people in a day

We loved that beach (we were there this summer) the waves were great, but luckily no rip currents at the time.
I have seen it many times on the Jersey shore throughout the years. When its a strong current people should avoid ggoing in past their knees.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I have a son who is a lifeguard here in NJ. It's not bad enough that people aren't aware of their own limits. To make it much worst they are often rude to the guards who try to help them. He has been spit on, had guys try to start fights, called names, etc.
That said, every guard I know loves their job. My son is becoming a teacher for alot of reasons but a big one is that he'll be able to continue guarding every summer. But it might have gotten hard when his brother's pay in a coffee shop got considerably higher then his. Also pool lifeguards make much more money then beach ones as well.

 

[John VN]

Same goes for seat belts and motorcycle helmets.