Escambia County Government: Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Return To Towers March 1

Press release from Escambia County Government:

Feb 24, 2022

Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will return to their towers on Tuesday, March 1, for the 2022 lifeguard season. Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, shifting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 13. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which begin staffing Memorial Day weekend.

In preparation for the 2022 season, Pensacola Beach hired 14 new lifeguards and welcomed 43 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including 80 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more. 

Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 279 rescues from drowning and 250 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attended to 43 major medical incidents and assisted 24 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 270,836 times during the 2021 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips.

"The Pensacola Beach Lifesaving team is enthusiastic about the beginning of our tower season," said Pensacola Beach Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. "Our team strives in attaining our goal, which is the protect and educate the public that visits beautiful Pensacola Beach."
 
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have maintained a presence on Casino Beach throughout the winter since the 2021 season ended Oct. 18, primarily through patrol vehicles.

Public Safety encourages residents and visitors to follow all Pensacola Beach rules and exercise caution when visiting the beach and swimming in the Gulf, especially when lifeguards are not present:                                    

• Follow the posted beach condition flag warnings. Click here to watch our lifeguards explain the flag system on Pensacola Beach.
• Check beach conditions before you go at PensacolaBeachLifeguards.com or on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook page. Beach conditions can also be found 24/7 at Ask MyEscambia mobile-responsive webpage via this link.
• Know how to escape from a rip current. Watch our rip current video and learn how to break the rip's grip, which can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
• Glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
• The west side of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is an alcohol-free zone.
• Open containers are not allowed off the boardwalk or outside any establishment.
• No alcohol can be consumed in any parking lot on Santa Rosa Island.
• Dogs other than service animals are not permitted on any beaches except in designated dog parks. View complete rules and boundaries for Pensacola Beach dog parks here.

Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will return to their towers on Tuesday, March 1, for the 2022 lifeguard season. Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, shifting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 13. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which begin staffing Memorial Day weekend.

In preparation for the 2022 season, Pensacola Beach hired 14 new lifeguards and welcomed 43 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including 80 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more. 

Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 279 rescues from drowning and 250 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attended to 43 major medical incidents and assisted 24 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 270,836 times during the 2021 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips.

"The Pensacola Beach Lifesaving team is enthusiastic about the beginning of our tower season," said Pensacola Beach Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. "Our team strives in attaining our goal, which is the protect and educate the public that visits beautiful Pensacola Beach."
 
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have maintained a presence on Casino Beach throughout the winter since the 2021 season ended Oct. 18, primarily through patrol vehicles.

Public Safety encourages residents and visitors to follow all Pensacola Beach rules and exercise caution when visiting the beach and swimming in the Gulf, especially when lifeguards are not present:                                    

This press release was produced by Escambia County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.