All members of the Orange Beach Surf Rescue Division attend the United Stated Lifesaving Association Surf Lifesaving Academy. This is a forty hour course that emphasis professional lifeguarding. Participants learn how to recognize, respond and rescue swimmers that are in distress as well as preventative lifeguarding. Once participants complete this course they are trained in CPR and First-aid, oxygen administration and the use of an automatic external defibrillator. Once hired, lifeguards are trained to utilize personal water craft to assist and rescue victims from dangerous waters.
Rescue Skills
Participants will learn how to:
Prevent accidents and drownings before they happen. This is Surf Rescue's most important job.
Identify and rescue victims from shallow water, deep water, and rip currents, using various techniques.
Properly identify and remove a spinal injury victim from water, backboard, and transport to drier land.
Identify rip currents, and current direction, as well as how it affects swimmers and rescues.
Identify and assist victims with injuries related to marine life.
Prevent accidents and drownings before they happen. This is Surf Rescue's most important job.
Identify and rescue victims from shallow water, deep water, and rip currents, using various techniques.
Properly identify and remove a spinal injury victim from water, backboard, and transport to drier land.
Identify rip currents, and current direction, as well as how it affects swimmers and rescues.
Identify and assist victims with injuries related to marine life.
CPR, First Aid, Oxygen
Participants will learn how to properly perform CPR, apply first aid, administer oxygen, and use an AED on a victim in an emergency situation. They must pass all tests, both written and hands-on scenario.
Three Mile Beach Run
Participants will complete a three mile beach run to display the conditioning required on high surf days.
500 Meter Swim
Participants must complete the 500 meter swim in a pool in under ten minutes in order to pass training. Trainees are expected to do this multiple times during the day, sometimes back to back, in preparation for high surf conditions on the job.