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Lifeguards in Hawaiʻi are elite physical athletes who put themselves in the line of fire to save anybody in need. Lifeguards undergo a series of physical training screening tests which then allows them to proceed to becoming a lifeguard. To be qualified to become part of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, must first have certifications in CPR training, AED, and have a lifeguarding license provided by the American Red Cross.

Since the utilization of lifeguards, the beaches in Hawaiʻi have become much safer. Lifeguards have made recreational ocean use a lot safer for many beachgoers and tourists in Hawaiʻi. There have been many speculations and disputes on the tourist industry putting Hawaiian lifeguards at risk. However, Lifeguards are not entitled to saving tourist. Often times a local who is in danger calls upon the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association for help. Lifeguards use every aspect of their knowledge and training to conduct rescues, whether it be two yards off shore or five miles off shore. Not anyone can be a lifeguard serving on Hawaiian beaches though. Lifeguards undergo weeks of training including CPR, AED, and endure a grueling physical test which includes a 1,000 yard swim and run under twenty five minutes, 400 yard rescue board paddle under four minutes, and a series of run-swim-run for a total of 100 yards each way. In addition to being physically fit to be a lifeguard, you must also know the ocean and how it works in order to be adequately qualified to save someone who is in danger.

Hazards presented to Lifeguards:
The ocean is mother nature’s strongest field. With waves that can top one hundred feet, currents that rip out to sea and potentially around the world, and the creatures that lie beneath the surface such as sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins, and even sharp coral, the ocean can be a death trap if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time and are uneducated. Often times, tourist like to go to popular beaches such as Sandy Beach, Waikiki, Banzai Pipeline, and Waimea Bay for the amazing scenery and surf. Luckily, lifeguards who guard the beaches of Hawaiʻi know their territory and how the ocean works in their specific area of the beach. Knowledge about the ocean plays a major role in being a lifeguard in Hawaiʻi. Here in Hawaiʻi, there are some of the strongest rip currents, biggest waves, and sharpest reefs in the Pacific Ocean. During this ongoing pandemic in 2020, this also puts the Lifeguards at a greater risk. Having to deal with people who donʻt know if they have contracted the deadly virus can be very stressful and dangerous. Lifeguards have been doing their part in staying safe by wearing masks and personal protection equipment when going on calls.

Lifeguards and the call of duty:
Drowning in Hawaiʻi has been one of the biggest leading causes of death among tourist and locals alike. Honolulu Civil Beat states, “Drowning has long been the leading cause of death for tourists in Hawaii, far outpacing the rate of drownings for residents and the national average. ” Many of these drownings occur at hours when lifeguards are not on duty or at a location where a lifeguard is not present. However, drownings do occur at guarded beaches such as Hanauma Bay which has an average of 285 rescues per year. This is due to lack of proper equipment by the individual who is drowning. Full-face snorkel masks have been proven to have several flaws when it comes to actually using them. For one, a full-face mask allows you to breathe through your nose and mouth, however, this allows for carbon dioxide build-up which causes a headache, dizziness, and eventually unconsciousness. It is recommended that you have safe and reliable equipment when thinking about snorkeling, surfing, or any other ocean recreational activities. A known saying in Hawaiʻi is, “Know before you go, and if in doubt, donʻt go out.”

With the current influx of tourism in Hawaiʻi, there are more chances of injury, death, and dangerous situations. Currently, Sandy Beach, located on the south-east tip of Oʻahu, holds the record for most neck and back injuries with a staggering twenty-two neck and back injuries a year. While tourist are the leading number of victims, the ocean does not discriminate between tourist and locals. On January 14, 2017, a local surfer and well-known legend, Kalani Chapman, took off on a gigantic Banzai Pipeline wave during the 2017 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout. Kalani took a heavy wipeout and was knocked unconscious by his board, causing a bloody mess. Fellow surfers, water safety, and lifeguards rushed to his body floating in the fast-moving white water. Lifeguards and surfers quickly got Kalani onto the beach where they performed intense CPR until an ambulance arrived. Had it not been for the lifeguards and fellow surfers, Kalani would not have been alive today. Surfer magazine dramatically states, “Chapman was brought to the beach where lifeguards immediately began working to revive him. ”Injuries caused by the ocean can happen to the best of the best. While it can happen to anyone, it is still good to know before you go and be educated on the place you are entering, the conditions in which the ocean, wind, swell, and tide are performing, and especially going always with a friend, partner, or family member. The buddy system is one of the best ways to prevent serious injury, death, or a missing person.

Impact of Lifeguards:
As dangerous as the ocean can be, it is important to still have fun but be safe. Sometimes, rescues are performed by locals when lifeguards are either too far away or off duty. Learning CPR or any life saving techniques will allow everyone to have fun while still being mindful of safety. Recently, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opened a program called Junior Lifeguards. The program allows kids from all over Hawaiʻi to train like a lifeguard for a week, they learn life-saving techniques, different ocean conditions, and how to notice if someone is getting into danger. The Junior Lifeguards program has proven to be helpful when lifeguards canʻt always be there. The training of the Junior Lifeguards program allows kids who surf, paddle, sail, or do another activity to have the training of a lifeguard. This allows for more people to have training of a lifeguard so when the time comes, if a person needs saving, someone is right there to help.

Lifeguards have a significant impact on Hawaiʻi and its people. The safety of the lifeguards allows everyone to have a fun time in the ocean, whether they may be swimming, surfing, or snorkeling. Lifeguards can also provide you with information on the beach itself and others that may be suitable for you and your family or friends. This is called a preventative action, where lifeguards suggest that if the conditions are dangerous, there are always the places available to go where you can still have fun and be safe. The North Shore Lifeguard Association states, “Tower-based service provides constant vigilance, land and ocean prevention services, emergency medical first response, and ocean rescue at specific beach locations within the District.” Lifeguards use every aspect of their knowledge and training to ensure you have a safe and fun day at the beach, but should you get yourself into danger, the lifeguards use every tool they have to get you home safe to your family.