The Sarasota County Lifeguard Service
originated over thirty years ago as a volunteer organization.
Skilled professionals are now responsible
for public safety at six beaches spread over a 36-mile area of
the Gulf Coast. From north to south these beaches are: Lido,
Siesta, Nokomis, North Jetty, Venice and Manasota.
The Lifeguard Service training of the
Lifeguards maintains the “Preventative Lifeguarding” stance,
which is seeing the event happen before it happens.
- Sarasota County Beach Lifeguards have some of the safest
beaches in the State of Florida.
- The Lifeguard staff training
includes passing biannual qualification testing and becoming
First Responder Certified.
- Sarasota County’s Lifeguard
Operations received the honor of Florida Beach Lifeguard
Operations of the Year for 2004.
Lost items on the beach
waiting to be claimed
“I’ve lost my…” are three common words
heard by the county lifeguards who work Sarasota
County beaches. There is about 35 miles of
coastline, within the county’s 3.5 miles of public
guarded beaches.
The method of tracking and, or holding lost items by
Sarasota County is dependent on the particular beach
lifeguard office.
- On all beaches with the exception of Siesta
Beach, when an item has been brought to a
lifeguard stand on the beach it may stay in that
lifeguard stand until the end of the day.
- The hopes are that the owner of that watch,
cell phone, or key will return asking for it.
- If that does not happen, then the item will
end up in the lifeguard office. There it
stays waiting to be claimed.
The process on Siesta Beach is different. Due to
the number of patrons who visit the beach daily the
lost items tend to be greater in number.
- Usually an item is turned over to a
lifeguard at the lifeguard stand.
- If an item is not claimed by the end of the
work day the lifeguards will bring the item to
the Parks and Recreation Office at Siesta Beach.
- The Parks and Recreation staff will
inventory the lost item and store it according
to date. There it waits until claimed.
For information about lost items contact Sarasota
County Lifeguard Operations at 941.861.5000.
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Lost children and adults at the
beach or pool – stay calm
The beach or pool is a fun and exciting experience.
It can be easy for children and occasionally adults to become
lost or disoriented due to drifting currents or confusion due to
unfamiliarity with surroundings.
The following tips are offered should someone become lost:
- Stay calm
- Go to the nearest Lifeguard station. The lifeguard will
notify other lifeguards by radio.
- If at a beach with no Lifeguards, call 9-1-1 or ask
someone to call 9-1-1. Be aware of location call is being
made from
- Know where the lost person was last seen
- In advance, identify a central meeting location with a
time to meet, just in case someone becomes lost
- Know what type of clothing children/adults are wearing.
This will help in the search
- Set up a bright umbrella or object that will easily
identify a “home base site”
- Have children know a secret password in the event
strangers try to lure them away
Having a plan will help insure the beach and pool experience
is an enjoyable one.
Beach Flags
Gulf water temperatures continue to rise as summer gets into
full swing. Remember to use sunscreen liberally and to reapply
it as needed throughout the day. To avoid dehydration be certain
to have plenty of water/sports drinks available. Beach flags
provide information on swimming conditions:
- green flag - good swimming conditions
- yellow - use caution
- red - dangerous swimming conditions
- double red flags - beach is closed to swimming
- purple -hazardous marine life
A yellow sign with black borders means sharks, rays, jelly
fish, and red tide are present. Warmer water can also mean
stingrays so remember to use the "stingray shuffle" when moving
through the water. Know your swimming skills and
abilities as the Gulf may look inviting but may have strong
currents. Also watch for signs of rip currents that may be
present.
