'Very proactive': Panama City Beach lifeguards rescue 15, help 200 so far this spring break

PANAMA CITY BEACH − The beaches might be busy for spring break, but Daryl Paul says local lifeguards are keeping the coast safe.

As beach safety director for Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, Paul said Friday that his lifeguards have rescued about 15 beachgoers so far this month. He was confident that number would be much higher if not for the approximately 200 preventative actions they've taken.

Rescues are where lifeguards save someone who is noticeably struggling and at risk of drowning, while preventative actions are where they use their judgment to help beachgoers in potentially dangerous situations to prevent actual rescues.

"We do go on rescues, that's a part of our job. But the main part of our job is preventing the rescues from happening in the first place," Paul said. "We are very proactive as far as being very vigilant. ... Preventatives are really where the rubber meets the road for us."

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While he wasn't sure how this month's rescues and preventative actions compare to those from the same time period last year, he said the spring break season is off to a relatively smooth start for his lifeguards. However, "the challenges are always still there."

These challenges include people who are unfamiliar with the city's beach flag warning system and get in the water while double red flags fly. This puts them at risk for being trapped in rip currents − fast moving currents created by deep channels in surrounding sandbars.

It is illegal in Panama City Beach to get in the Gulf of Mexico during times of double red flags. Violators can be fined up to $500, with a 50% discount given to those who pay within 20 days of receiving the ticket.

Paul said Friday he upgraded beach flags to double red, which marked the fourth double red day so far this month in Panama City Beach.

Common flag colors used in beach flag warning systems include a green flag for low hazard conditions, a yellow flag for medium hazard conditions, one red flag for high hazard conditions and two red flags for very dangerous conditions. Panama City Beach never flies green flags, however, because officials say beachgoers should always be cautious when they enter the Gulf.

"We preach flag system and rip current awareness everyday, but you still get those people ... who probably don't know and decide to still get in the water," Paul said. "In March, the water is typically going to be more turbulent because the season is changing, the water temperature is warming up (and) nature is moving."

He noted his department has six seasonal lifeguards and still is looking to hire nine more. Those interested in the positions can apply through the city's website. Applicants must be able to run one mile within 12 minutes and swim 500 meters within 10 minutes.

"What kicked the season off for us was a rescue at the county pier made by three of our lifeguards," Paul said. "The gentleman submerged and went to the bottom, and our lifeguards entered the water, pulled him out and resuscitated him on shore.

"That gentleman is alive today because of that aggressive rescue culture that our lifeguards have."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach says 15 people have been rescued this spring break