American Lifeguard Magazine, Winter 2005 1 High Surf Ad 2 American Lifeguard Magazine, Winter 2005 ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ USLA Officers USLA Executive Board USLA Regional Presidents President New England B. Chris Brewster, San Diego, CA Rian Wilkinson, staffmarine-rescue.com brewsterlifesaver1.com Mid-Atlantic Vice-President Ed Zebrowski, EAZebrowskinetscape.net Jerry Gavin, Chicago, IL, gavinlfgrdaol.com South Atlantic Treasurer Kevin Sweat, ksweatCO.volusia.fl.us Greg Farry, Bradley Beach, NJ, jgfarrywebtv.net Southeast Secretary Patrick McGlammery, squidmcggate.net Dave Shotwell, OceanGrove, NJ, Great Lakes daveshotwellearthlink.net Joe Pecoraro, jppecoaol.com Recurrent Rep. Gulf Coast J.K. “Duke” Brown, Myrtle Beach, SC, Vic Maceo, bch289aol bchfrntdiraol.com Pacific Northwest International Liaison Cathy VonWald, cathyvonwald.org Eric Bauer, Newport Beach, CA, Southwest (CSLSA) ebauercity.newport-beach.ca.us Rob McGowan, mcgowanadelphia.net Advisor Tim Gallagher, GALLAGHERTIMOTHYcs.com USLA Committee Chairs Medical Advisor Bylaws and Policies ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Dr. Peter Werniki, Vero Beach, FL, John “Chip” More, JMoreLawaol.com wernickihotmail.com Certification USLA Legal Advisor B. Chris Brewster, brewsterlifesaver1.com Chip More, Mid-Atlantic, JMoreLawaol.com Competition Carl Drake, carl.drakecomcast.net Development Cathy VonWald, cathyvonwald.org American Lifeguard Magazine Staff Equipment Research Dave Foxwell, rac- Publisher/Editor usla.developmentworldnet.att.net Mike Bartlett, Huntington Beach, CA Grant Writing almusla.org Greg Farry, jgfarrywebtv.net Staff Writers Heroic Acts Nikki Bowie, nbowieccprc.com Eric Sandy, Del Mar, CA International B. Chris Brewster, San Diego, CA, B. Chris Brewster, brewsterlifesaver1.com brewsterlifesaver1.com Junior Lifeguards Dr. Peter Hartsock, US Public Health Service Reenie Boyer rboyercity.newport-beach.ca.us Rick Gould, Santa Clarita, CA Magazine RGOULDsanta-clarita.com Mike Bartlett, almusla.org Vince Lombardi, Camp Pendleton, CA Membership Phil Rogers, Mid-Atlantic Joe Pecoraro, jppecoaol.com Financial Advisor National Curriculum Greg Farry, Bradley Beach, NJ, jgfarrywebtv.net Carl Martinez, carl_martineznps.gov Membership Liaison Public Education Peter Davis, pdavisgalvestonparkboard.org Charlie Hartl, Avon-By-the-Sea, Public Information guard4lifeaol.com Tom Gill, tomgillvahotmail.com Design/Typesetting Statistics Renee Story, L.A. County, CA, reneestory.net Rick Gould, RGOULDsanta-clarita.com Staff Photographers Ways & Means Phil Rogers, Mid Atlantic Greg Farry, jgfarrywebtv.net Andrew Healey, Point Lookout, NY Website Frank Arena, Piscataway, NJ Charles Hartl, Avon-By-the-Sea, guard4lifeaol.com American Lifeguard Magazine, Winter 2005 3 ○○○○○○○○○○○ In This Issue ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Cover Photo: Lifeguards rescue vistims pulled offshore by a rip current in Zuma Beach, Los United States Lifesaving Angeles County, CA, August Association Mission Statement 2004. Photo by Nick Steers www.usla.org 866-FOR-USLA (367-8752) President’s Message 5 The United States Lifesaving Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhanc- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ing the profession of lifesaving. The USLA promotes the profession of lifesaving in the Letter to the Editor 6 United States and worldwide as a professional endeavor and as a means of public safety. It informs, educates and fosters the development of its members and the public in the realm of lifesaving. It encourages the growth of lifesaving in local chapters from a county International and state level. The USLA serves as the governing body for openwater lifesaving in the USLA Club Tortuga Report 27 United States and as a participant in international lifesaving organizations and projects. It Australian Lifeguard Legend is structured to enhance the democratic procedures contained in its bylaws. All correspon- dence other than for the magazine should be sent to: USLA Corporate Office, P.O. Box Rescues Swimmers in Florida 32 366, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, or almusla.org. Training American Lifeguard Magazine Open Water Lifeguard Scanning 10 American Lifeguard Magazine is published tri-annually, and each member of the Training the Rookie 33 USLA receives a one-year subscription as a provision of their paid membership. If you wish to publish an article or submit a letter to the editor, address all submis- Competition sions to: American Lifeguard Magazine, 15481 Cottonwood Circle, Huntington Rescue 6000 29 Beach, CA, 92647, or almusla.org. Entire contents 2005 by the USLA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a re- trieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means - electronic, mechanical, Rescues photocopying, or otherwise - without the prior consent of ALM. Unsolicited materi- L.A. County Lifeguards Assist als, including all photographs, are submitted at the sender’s risk and ALM accepts Grounded Vessel in Redondo no responsibility. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ALM or the USLA. Beach 30 Features ALM Advertising Information UlSl Surgeon General Addresses The USLA manages the American Lifeguard Magazine and publishes it tri-annually USLA 8 with a Summer Issue (July 1), Winter Issue (Nov. 1), and a Spring Issue (Feb. 1). Nissan Becomes Official The 36 page publication is mailed directly to its 13,000 members comprised of Vehicle for Huntington Beach ocean lifeguards, administrators, junior guards, competitors and alumni. Lifeguards 15 The American Lifeguard Magazine serves to inform USLA members on a variety of public safety topics ranging from training and educational programs to innovative Personal Watercraft Rescue Ops products, practices and services. More importantly, it is the only national magazine to Seminar in Hawaii 17 target beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. The rates are: Black Cloud Lingers in Sunny Southern California 20 Advertisement Size One Issue Three Issues Savings Business card $85 $225 ($75 each) $30 Waterspout Comes Ashore Quarter page $175 $480 ($160 each) $45 in California 28 Half page $285 $765 ($255 each) $90 McDonalds Air & Sea Show 29 Full page $450 $1200 ($400 each) $150 Full page (color) $500 $1320 ($440 each) $180 Inside Covers(color) $500 $1320 ($440 each) $180 Junior Lifeguards Back Cover(color) $575 $1500 ($500 each) $225 How One Summer Camp Changed My Child’s Life 7 Contact the Publisher/Editor, Michael S. Bartlett at (714) 345-5792, or email at JG Art 13 almusla.org for questions or space reservations. 4 American Lifeguard Magazine, Winter 2005 President’s Message ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ by B. Chris Brewster, President, San Diego, CA hen you think of lifesav worldwide, after auto accidents. ing, you probably think In some countries, like Viet Nam, W drowning is the greatest cause of of warm beaches, lots of people, and the critical role of the death for children. More than dis- noble lifesaver, carefully maintain- ease. More than any other single ing safety despite constant chal- cause. We, representing the life- lenges. If you’re lucky, that noble savers of the world, intend to lifesaver is you and your cowork- help change that. ers. Have you thought though, What does this mean to about the broader role of aquatic you in your work? It means that safety prevention? you and your profession are multi- At USLA’s 40th anniversary dimensional. You are part of a event in Galveston, Texas in No- web of lifesavers that stretches vember 2004, two speakers high- around the globe. Lifesavers who lighted what lifesaving is all will not be fully satisfied until all about. Bob Burnside, USLA’s paredness to spring to the aid of drownings are prevented. Cer- founding president and the inven- anyone in need at a moment’s no- tainly, our greatest expertise as tor of the modern rescue buoy, tice. He urged us all to think American lifesavers is in maintain- reminded those present of the broadly about what the values of ing the safety of our country’s critical role that lifeguards and lifesaving can add to improving beaches and waterways, but USLA have played in reducing the quality of life in America. think of yourself, ourselves more incidence of drowning nationwide, broadly. We are drowning preven- ○○○○ through an increasingly organized ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ tion experts and that expertise and professional approach. Bob is “Hold your head can be used to the benefit not retired now, so he has focused his only of beachgoers, but of our formidable energies and expertise high. You’re a communities, our nation, and, in on volunteer work in advancing lifesaver! Enjoy fact, the entire planet. drowning prevention in Mexico. In this extraordinary Lt. Peter Davis of the fact, at the very same meeting, I Galveston Beach Patrol knows this had the tremendous pleasure of job and keep well. He recently joined me in joining Bob and others in the inau- ‘em floating.” Venezuela, where we volunteered gural meeting of the Mexican Life- our time to help develop a corps saving Association. Lives will be ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of lifesavers where none previ- saved. Many lives. On Thanksgiving Day 2004, ously existed. Why? Because we US Surgeon General Rich- I found myself in an unusual knew people were drowning with- ard Carmona M.D. also spoke. Did place. I was in Geneva, Switzer- out adequate