Southland Lifeguards Participate In Drills, Gear Up For Upcoming Labor Day Holiday

SEAL BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Lifeguards last weekend performed a record number of water rescues at local beaches and are gearing up for the busy holiday weekend.

On Tuesday, rescuers in Seal Beach participated in drill exercises, including one that involved a lifeguard jumping 35-feet from the pier to rescue a drowning swimmer.

Also as part of the training, a lifeguard posed as a patient and was rushed to shore where CPR was administered.

An Orange County Fire Authority unit arrived on scene to respond to the scenario to demonstrate the hand-off between lifeguards and medics.

"We're having another record year," Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority said. "So far, this year, we've already had 69 drowning calls, 26 of those have been fatal."

Five of those deadly Orange County drownings have occurred in the ocean.

"Oftentimes people overestimate their abilities in the water," said Joe Bailey of Seal Beach Marine Safety. "The ocean is strong. You know, surf is really strong and if you're not a good swimmer, then
maybe you ought to think about not going in the ocean."

Large crowds over the Labor Day holiday are anticipated as ocean temperatures are expected to hover around 75 degrees and decent weather is forecast.