MedicPrincess
Forum Deputy Chief
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Well it has finally happened again. For the first time since October 31 2003 someone has drown at Pensacola Beach.
Lets review the conditions under which he drown. It was a Red Flag day (for those not familiar with the flag system, let us know, we can educate). The wave were 4-6 feet. Waves in our area are not supposed to be white capping. There were flashing signs all along the beach warning everyone to stay out of the water, it was to dangerous to enter. There were Sheriff, Fire, and Life Guard Patrols on 4-wheelers telling people to get out of the water, the rip currents are to dangerous. And the lifeguards on duty were averaging 12 resuces an hour.
Yet, somehow its a "tragedy" this tourist died. At what point should our lifeguards and rescue personell be allowed to say "If you enter the water and get into trouble you will not be rescued." or "If you enter the water you will be arrested for endangering the lives of the Public Safety Personell."
Its a big debate around here. Personally, I feel that law enforcement should be able to arrest these people for endangering the lives of the would be resucers. And if the swimmer does get into trouble, well to bad so sad, when they wash up on shore they will be hauled away.
Think of it as a fully involved structure fire. Fire persons won't enter the building to do search and resuce if it is to great of risk to their lives. Why should we expect the lifeguards to enter the surf when it is to great a risk to their lives?
Lets review the conditions under which he drown. It was a Red Flag day (for those not familiar with the flag system, let us know, we can educate). The wave were 4-6 feet. Waves in our area are not supposed to be white capping. There were flashing signs all along the beach warning everyone to stay out of the water, it was to dangerous to enter. There were Sheriff, Fire, and Life Guard Patrols on 4-wheelers telling people to get out of the water, the rip currents are to dangerous. And the lifeguards on duty were averaging 12 resuces an hour.
Yet, somehow its a "tragedy" this tourist died. At what point should our lifeguards and rescue personell be allowed to say "If you enter the water and get into trouble you will not be rescued." or "If you enter the water you will be arrested for endangering the lives of the Public Safety Personell."
Its a big debate around here. Personally, I feel that law enforcement should be able to arrest these people for endangering the lives of the would be resucers. And if the swimmer does get into trouble, well to bad so sad, when they wash up on shore they will be hauled away.
Think of it as a fully involved structure fire. Fire persons won't enter the building to do search and resuce if it is to great of risk to their lives. Why should we expect the lifeguards to enter the surf when it is to great a risk to their lives?
