Scouting, Volume 78, Number 3, May-June 1990 Page: 3
50, E1-E12, [76] p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The American Riviera—
42 miles of golden
beaches in California's
Orange County-
is home to Explorer
Post 985's junior
lifeguard program.
Lifeguards in
Training
Post 985 Advisor
Scott Treloar
"rescues" Explorer
Gill Kaufman during
a demonstration off
of Salt Creek Beach
near Dana Point,
Calif.
BY WALTER ROESSING
From april to october,
the beaches that hug Califor-
nia's Orange County coastline
are wildly popular playgrounds for
sunbathers, swimmers, surfers,
waders, and youngsters riding Sty-
rofoam boogey boards.
Yet, surprisingly, these glistening
sands and seemingly calm coastal
waters contain a constant element of
danger.
That risk would be far greater if it
weren't for the skills of the profes-
sional lifeguards who oversee these
strands from 20-foot towers and
4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Robin Mayer and Scott Treloar,
both full-time lifeguards, are Advi-
sors to Post 985 in Laguna Niguel.
They instruct a junior lifeguard pro-
gram that acquaints Explorers with
dangers of the surf.
"Most swimmers aren't aware
there are rip currents off many
beaches," says Matt Brown of San
Juan Capistrano.
"A rip current (undertow) is like a
river flowing away from the beach. It
won't pull you down, but it can pull
you out to sea," says Jim Calkins of
Laguna Niguel.
Head injuries are common with
surfers. Occasionally, a lifeguard
must rescue an unconscious surfer
from the ocean.
"Lifeguards must also help adults
who dislocate a shoulder or break a
hip in the surf," says Laguna Mi-
guel's Tim Brooks.
"During my nine years as a life-
guard," says Mayer, "I've had to deal
with cut feet from glass in the sand,
burns from fire pits, fights, assaults,
heart attacks, strokes, drug over-
doses, and severe sunburns."
However, Mayer and Treloar agree
that a broken neck is the most seri-
ous accident they encounter on the
beach.
"Unfortunately, that's far too
common. We get as many as 30
spinal injuries during June, July,
and August that result in partial or
total paralysis," says Mayer.
"Most of these occur from people
diving into shallow water or from
waves that slam people head first into
the sand."
On a more positive note, drown-
ings are rare on a guarded beach, and
Mayer says he's never heard of a
shark attack off Orange County.
How does the post's junior life-
guard training prepare Explorers to
deal with all the aforementioned
dangers?
At Post 985, training consists of
two month-long seminars held Mon-
day through Friday in July and Au-
E3
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 78, Number 3, May-June 1990, periodical, May 1990; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353637/m1/45/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.