Lifeguard Rescue Equipment

Aside from flags, signs, surveillance and communications equipment guards naturally need equipment to be used in actual rescues.

  • Poles – these are actually used more at pools where a rescue can be preformed without entering the water.
  • Life preservers – There are three basic common types
    • Rings – also more commonly used at pools usually for throwing assists
    • Rescue Buoys – Lifeguards refer to these as cans. They are the choice for surf conditions and allow a victim to grab one of its handle to be pulled in or assisted directly by the guard.
    • Rescue Tubes – Usually made of soft molded foam they are usually thrown to the victim who is pulled in using the attached rope.
  • Paddle boards – Like large surf boards they are useful for getting to a victim, as a floating guard stand and as a way to carry a victim back to safety allowing them to breathe easier.
  • Vehicles – Jet skis are used by some patrols as well as inflatable boats with engines. On land most patrols also have ATV carts and/or trucks to quickly get needed first aid equipment and personnel to the scene.
  • Boats – My personal favorite piece of lifeguard equipment, but I’m not exactly an unbiased source. These have a long rich history especially on the jersey shore. The design commonly used in fact is referred to as a Sea Bright Skiff after the town of Sea Bright, NJ. If you would like to learn more about these, the rest of the site - which I encourage you to explore - is full of information on them.

First Aid Equipment

There is a wide variety of first aid equipment at the disposal of lifeguards. A small sample of what would be handy follow;

  • Resuscitation Masks
  • Neck Braces
  • Defibrillators
  • Splints
  • Bandages and dressings
  • Adhesive tapes
  • Blankets, towels, plastic sheets
  • Scissors, forceps
  • Antiseptic soaps and wipes
  • Drinking cups and water

This is by no means a complete list. When you think about the wide variety of equipment used by lifeguards it gives you yet another level of understanding of what is really involved in guarding.

Now that you know some more about the equipment beach patrols use, why not treat yourself to a beautiful handcrafted lifeguard boat replica. It may not save anyone’s life but it can make you feel better in those colder months when you remember your summer beach fun.

.. or click to view other lifeguard skills and training articles.