We have an ongoing national lifeguard shortage.
This is not good.
This poses a significant risk to water safety in communities for the 3rd year.
The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) has launched a crucial initiative. Wyatt Werneth their spokesperson, who’s like the Jame Bond of Lifeguards, is making headlines highlighting a crucial reality:
“Professional lifeguards, the dedicated guardians of our waterways, are deserving of both acknowledgment and compensation that mirror the critical nature of their work.”
The ALA is calling on employers to enhance their Lifeguard incentive offerings, including bonuses, reimbursement of training expenses, and competitive wages.
It’s a strategic effort designed to not only draw a wider range of qualified lifeguard candidates but also to elevate the profession of lifeguarding to a highly esteemed and rewarding career choice.
I’ve always wanted to be a lifeguard and I wonder if it’s too late? LOL I’m half kidding of course, because I’d feel self-conscious walking around in a bathing suit as my work outfit all day but hey never underestimate the life saving power of a Grandma!
The American Lifeguard Association does think it’s time to widen the net of appeal to lifeguarding, which includes encouraging older people as well.
Wyatt Werneth joined me on The Debbie Nigro Show to share what we all need to do to solve the lifeguard shortage for the safety of all. Wyatt is a great choice as the Official Spokesperson of the American Lifeguard Association. He’s a highly skilled waterman with core training in rescue swimming and public safety diving, and he also holds several world records. He served as the head of the Cocoa Beach Fla. patrol and has over 20 years of experience in various military and contractor roles worldwide. His expertise extends to MAROP (Marine Operations) in marine environments, working with the USCG as an Officer in tactical/security and medical fields, and collaborating with the US and UK Special Operations Forces. He’s also a really cool stuntman who’s done outrageous stunts in a multitude of movies you’ve likely seen.
But Wyatt Werneth’s Guinness World Record is one of the things he’s most proud of.
“I have a Guinness World Record. It is in paddle boarding, 345 miles, and I’ll tell you a story about that. I was the lifeguard chief of an area that has 72 miles of ocean front, and at that time, we only had 13 lifeguard stations available for 210 beach accesses for 110 days out of the year.
We ended up having a tremendous amount of drownings. And at that time, in 2007, we’d already had 10 drownings. So what I did, in fact, on the actual anniversary. 17 years ago, I did the paddleboard journey.
And what it was, I considered it dragging a cross for the souls that we lost.
You know, I pulled each of these people out of the water, I met their families, grieved with them. And the only way I could deal with it was I was like, well, you know what, I’m going to drag her across.
So I put myself on a paddle board in the open ocean and I paddle boarded night and day for 10 days. And just to remember every soul, to bring awareness to the drownings, to these people’s lives, to the lack of lifeguards, beach safety, it was during beach safety week. And yeah, I’m very proud of that. I think that, of all the things I’ve done, is a major accomplishment and a signature of what I do.”
About The Drown Zero Foundation:
Wyatt Werneth’s passionate about the Drown Zero Foundation. They’re making beaches safer one beach at a time.
Drown Zero which started as a Cocoa Beach Rotary Club project, has successfully implemented sixty-two (62) Drown Zero flotation device stations along Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
These “Throw – Don’t Go!” stations provide beaches without lifeguards (unguarded or off duty) a means to assist a s distressed swimmer. As in throw the orange floatation ring into the water don’t try and save someone yourself. Call 9-1-1 and keep your eyes on the swimmer until first responders arrive.
These stations are available for adoption, which helps make the Drown Zero Project possible. The Drown Zero project has been made possible by the Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Foundation, Cocoa Beach Rotary Club in conjunction with the Cities of Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
‘Drown Zero International’ now has the ability with support from the Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Foundations as well as donations to help bring this life saving project to your community. Please feel free to contact them for more information.
drownzeroint@gmail.com
321-704-0151
Meanwhile back to the Lifeguard Shortage…It’s time we take our Lifeguards seriously so enjoy this podcast of my live conversation with Wyatt Werneth on The Debbie Nigro Show.
