What Happens When Things Go Wrong

a Jolla Shores  is a sandy beach approximately one mile long, nestled in a small beach community only about 1 mile long of beach. A west facing beach where waves are usually great for those just learning to surf and for those learning to Scuba Dive many novice scuba classes are held at La Jolla Shores. Or for those wishing to learn to surf a surf area is marked after 9:00 for surfing only where you could find Surf Divas out giving beginning surf classes,  and for those more skilled to practice techniques. Even though the waves are gentle  most of the time the beach, rip currents that can be quite strong at times.

The Park area where children can swing in the sand filled play area or climb on the child safe forts and slides while families picnic, or stroll on the broad walkway that runs the distance from the La Jolla Inn to the far end of the park area, along this walk way of about a mile long are several towers, and one main building that house the best of the best at La Jolla shores  the San Diego County Life Guards, stand ready to be there when you need them the most. watching the ocean for the rip currents that most of us would never see. Rip Currents can be Identified by the white foamy water being pulled seaward. When these currents get strong and swimmers not paying attention to the water around them tragedy can strike very quickly and silently, pulling a swimmer to deep water, panic can set in quickly bringing other non qualified persons to the rescue only to become another part of the already bad situation.

La Jolla Life Guards play a variety of roles at the beach from obvious life savers to finders of lost children, mediators of disputes, someone to talk to about the waters, minor first aid providers, to Emergency first responders, putting their lives in danger to save another.

Trained to swim threw the waves fight the rip currents, and bring you back to shore  maybe a little worn out from your ordeal but still able to say thank you, that’s what counts.

A Thankless Job

Some time the job of a life guard comes down to making people obey the rules of the beach no drinking, dogs off the beach by 9:00, even parking , but the fact is they are doing their job and are not there to ruin your day no  matter what you may think. Because even though you may get mad at them for telling you to get out of the swim area with a surf board or site you for having a dog on the beach after hours, or launching your boat or kayak at the wrong place, if something happens to you no matter how nasty you have treated or talked to or about them if you get in trouble in the ocean and need their help they will be there for you.

So Boat smart , dive smart , swim smart and respect those that have taken on the job of making sure you are safe, in out and around the water Your San Diego County Life Guards.

Happy Blogging