PBC Ocean Rescue Scores Historic First Place Win at USLA Regionals

The 2018 United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Regional Championships were held at Flagler Beach on July 26th and 27th. This competition was attended by 22 beach patrols from the Southeast Region with some of the best open water athletes in the nation.

Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue was supported by 16 competitors who volunteered their time and resources to represent the County and included: Lieutenant Chase Robertson, Kim Robertson, Jessica Ventura, Lead Guard Tiffany Lacasse-Johnson, Lieutenant Phil Harris, Chase Harris, Matt Lynskey, Tracey Matuszko, Lieutenant Dan Barnickel, Russ Gehweiler, Jessie Stevens, Training Officer Steve Kaes, Kira Shoemaker, Mitchell Irwin, Hanna Forrest and Lex May.

This first place win was an important victory for the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department’s Ocean Rescue team (PBCOR). PBCOR is one of the largest beach patrols in the Southeast Region and strives to attract and retain full-time lifeguards of the highest caliber. Competing and placing first in a USLA Regional Competition helps attract top guards from around the nation to make their careers at Palm Beach County.

USLA Competitions are one of the only organized sports that directly promotes life saving. In winning the first place Southeast Regional title, PBCOR competitors did a fantastic job promoting and representing their public safety agency. In addition to their required training on duty, many of the guards trained hard off duty to win this event.

Chase Robertson, Matt Lynskey

The competition consists of 10 individual events that include: surf swim, paddleboard, surf ski, singles surf boat, beach flags, iron guard, ironman/woman, American ironman/woman, run swim run, and 2K beach. There are six team events: doubles surf boat and paddleboard rescueand 4X100 run relay, line pull rescue, surf rescue, and taplin relay.

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Highlights:

• Lieutenant Chase Robertson was the highest overall point scorer for Palm Beach County and the second highest male point scorer for the entire competition with a total of 89.5 points. He competed and placed in 12 events and won first place in 9 events.
• Jessica Ventura was the highest overall female point scorer for Palm Beach County with a total of 64 points and competed in a total of 18 events placing first in age group surf swim, board race, surf ski, international iron woman, run swim paddle and run swim run.
• Tiffany Lacasse-Johnson was the second highest overall female point scorer for Palm Beach County with a total point score of 60.7 from a total of 20 events.
• Senior Guard Lieutenant Phil Harris returned this year to compete in seven events. Highlights were winning first place in the age group run-swim-run, and 2nd place in surf swim, board race, 2k beach run, and beach flags. His daughter, Chase Harris, who swam for FIU and recently graduated proudly competed alongside her dad finishing 6th in the highly competitive open women’s swim.
• Senior Guard and Training Officer Steve Kaes was there to compete and his guidance and help were invaluable to all the competitors before, during and after the event. For years he captained the Competition Team and our success this year was accomplished on the foundation Steve Kaes and other senior guards have built over the years.

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Remember to swim near a lifeguard when you visit the beach. For more information, visit USLA.org.

PBC Ocean Rescue Awarded $4,400 Scholarship Check for EMT Training

Thanks to a generous donation from the Palm Beach County Community Assistance and Benefit Corporation, two PBC Ocean Lifeguards will now have the chance to better serve Palm Beach County’s beachgoers.

On September 15, PBC Ocean Rescue was presented with a $4,400 scholarship check, which will go to helping two PBC Ocean Lifeguards take the Emergency Medical Technician  (EMT) course, in order to secure their EMT Certifications. EMT’s provide pre-hospital and emergency care that can make a difference between life and death, and are recognized by the emergency medical community as a key link in the “chain of survival.” The scope of knowledge required of EMT’s is broad.

“The ultimate benefactors of these scholarships are the beachgoers who visit [Palm Beach County],” said Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Dennis Ward.

Trainees will receive on-the-scene training, such as rides with Fire/Rescue paramedics, shifts working in local hospital ER’s, as well as being directly involved in medical care, from severe trauma, to pediatric, cardiac, language barriers and more, which will prepare them for a variety of different scenarios on a beach setting. “EMT is a crash course in a sometimes very harsh environment,” explained Ward.

The scholarship money will not only mean an improved skill set for two PBC Ocean Rescue Lifeguards, but it will also help maintain Palm Beach County’s continued leadership status in the Ocean Rescue industry.

“Fortunately, we have groups like the CAB Corp. and Mr. [Lance] Berkowitz in our community, and lifeguard supervisors/administrators that clearly see the value and need for quality professional EMS care,” said Ward.

Beach Safety: stay safe at #pbcParks this summer

The summer months are creeping up on us, which means many residents and tourists will be flocking to Palm Beach County’s beach parks to enjoy the sand and sea. However, because the ocean can be dangerous, we’ve compiled some tips for keeping yourself and your kids safe at the beach this summer.

Watch this video for more –

National Water Safety Month: staying safe in #pbcParks

Enroll your child in swimming lessons at a county pool or park.

As the summer months sneak up on us, our department is making sure our park patrons are staying safe in our many aquatic-themed parks and facilities.

As April was proclaimed Water Safety Month in Palm Beach County, and earlier this year, Governor Scott signed a proclamation supporting the month of May as Water Safety Month for the State of Florida, it’s clear that Florida is one of the states where water safety is most critical. In fact, this week (May 21-27) is Boating Safety Week – and Palm Beach County’s parks and beaches are popular locations for not only boaters, but swimmers, fishermen, kayakers, paddle-boarders, surfers, divers, and many others who enjoy our beautiful county pools, parks and beaches.

Lifeguards protect patrons at 14 oceanfront and inlet parks.

While our department’s Ocean Rescue staff at beaches, water parks and pools work diligently to prevent water-related incidents, we want to make sure park patrons are aware of water safety-related resources that are available to make sure all preventable incidents are avoided.

In 2014, Palm Beach County had 43 unintentional drowning deaths. Our staff is committed to providing safe environments for kids and adults to enjoy the water. Here are a few simple things you can do to prevent water-related incidents at pools, beaches and other water-themed parks & facilities:

• Enroll children in swimming lessons at a county pool or water park: Palm Beach County makes it easy for adults and children to learn simple skills that may turn out to be life-saving.
  • All classes are taught by American Red Cross certified Water Safety instructors.
  • Because there are so many aquatics-related recreational activities available to Palm Beach County residents and visitors in our parks & facilities, knowing proper swimming techniques is key in easily preventing water-related incidents.
  • Swim lessons include training in basic water safety and helping others in an emergency.
• Adults – keep an eye on children and avoid distractions – sometimes it helps to put the phone or tablet down!
• Never swim alone – use the buddy system
• Use proper boating safety techniques – wear a life vest!
• Follow the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Top 10 Beach and Water Safety Tips.

June 5-12 is National Beach Safety Week.

June 5 – 12 is National Beach Safety Week! Throughout the summer, we will keep you informed on more water safety tips – including Beach Safety from our lifeguards – so keep following our blog for more helpful tips to make our parks & facilities even more enjoyable!

We operate more than 80 regional, district, community, beach, and neighborhood parks, spanning several thousand acres. Our mission is to make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. This is achieved by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

Visit www.pbcparks.com for more information.