The Memorial Day holiday weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. With that comes crowded beaches. We spoke with a lifeguard in Riviera Beach about what Ocean Rescue is doing to keep people safe.
Emergency can strike any time. We watched lifeguard Ivan Horsky, Jr. at Phil Foster Park run to the rescue of a swimmer in distress.
“He wore himself out,” explained Ivan. “I guess he panicked and a lot of people started screaming for lifeguards.”
Ivan says the man was swimming beyond the buoys, where you’re not supposed to.
“He shouldn't be there,” said Ivan. “We tell people to swim at their own risk because it's outside a guarded area.”
Thankfully, the man was okay. Lifeguards say this incident is a reminder to put safety first this Memorial Day weekend.
“Pretty much common sense,” said Ivan. “Do not swim under the bridge unless you’re an experienced diver or swimmer and have fins. It always helps to have fins.”
Lifeguards say small children are their number one concern.
“We want to ensure that the parents are right next to them, watching them because it can get so busy we can't watch everyone,” explained Ivan.
Mom Annette never takes her eyes off her 2-year-old daughter.
“Making sure i'm watching her,” said Annette Pahl, from Juno. “If my husband is with her I’m watching my husband and her.”
She knows the dangers all too well
“Anything could happen in just a split second.”
Ivan says more lifeguards are on patrol this Memorial Dav weekend.
You’ll also see more boats on the water. If you plan to operate or ride one, the Coast Guard suggests taking a boat safety course.