Seminar to focus on educating lifeguards

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT BEACH -- Saving lives is more about education than it is about

an instant surge of adrenaline and a touch of heroism.

Doctors know it. So do lifeguards.

That’s why officials at Hoag Hospital expect record attendance today

at their 22nd annual Project Wipeout Lifeguard Seminar.

Year after year, the informational session has provided lifeguards

with much-needed ammunition to battle the busy summer season, said

Newport Beach Fire Capt. John Blauer.

“It’s perfect timing,” he said. “Its main purpose is to make sure we

don’t let our guards down and also so we understand our jobs better and

learn about new developments in the field.”

Hospital officials said more than 400 Southern California lifeguards,

paramedics and other emergency medical professionals are expected to

attend the seminar, which will focus on vital lifesaving information and

the prevention and treatment of beach-related injuries -- particularly

those of the neck and spinal cord.

The session is not open to the public.

Through the years, the seminar has expanded to help include a broad

range of topics, said program coordinator Kris Okamoto.

She said this year’s program will include a presentation on drowning

that follows the step-by-step treatment and technique of resuscitating

and stabilizing a drowning victim, from rescue to hospitalization.

An unusual aspect of this year’s seminar will be the live

demonstrations that involve audience participation, Okamoto said.

“The hands-on portion of the training will allow lifeguards and

medical personnel to learn firsthand how to apply the principles they’ve

learned,” she said.

“This is a crucial step in ensuring that these lifesaving techniques

are utilized to their fullest potential.”

BOX

Here are some beach safety tips from Project Wipeout:

* If you can’t swim an overhead stroke for at least 15 minutes, you

should not be in the ocean.

* Never swim alone and swim near a lifeguard whenever possible.

* Check with a lifeguard to find out where shallow and deep areas are

located.

* Don’t jump or dive into the water from a pier or rock jetty.

* Stay out of the “surf zone,” where the waves break.

* If you’re body surfing or body boarding, always keep your arms out

in front of you to protect your head and neck. Always wear fins and a

board leash.

* If you are pulled out to sea by a rip current, swim parallel to the

shore until you’re out of the rip. Then swim in to the shore.