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On vigilant watch. On guard. On the stand. On their toes.
That is the job for a Sea Colony Beach Patrol lifeguard from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through June 14 and from Sept. 3 through Oct. 14, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 15 through Sept. 2.
While virtually everyone else around them on the beach is cavorting, reading, sleeping, talking or just taking in the magical salt air, the Guardians by the Sea are ready to spring into action.
Even while being cordial to those who approach the lifeguard stand, they are always on alert. Their eyes remain on the swimmers in the surf even while they are sipping and chewing for sustenance during the long beach day.
Someone’s life may be in danger.
And they are the ones who have the ability to rescue swimmers in need.
The Coastal Point is once again spotlighting one of these Guardians by the Sea with a beach lifeguard feature story each week during the season.
Staying alert on the stand
His stomach was full.
But he was able to stay alert on the lifeguard stand.
He avoided “zoning out” after returning from his lunch break on a sun-splashed afternoon this past June.
“I was sitting with one of our rookie lifeguards, Sam Beebe, on Stand 1, and there had been some rip currents throughout the day, but nothing too crazy,” recalled Sea Colony Beach Patrol lifeguard Erickson Buck. “About 30 minutes passed, and I was scanning the water when I heard a mother yelling for her 7-year-old son to return to shore.”
The youngster had been swimming in chest-deep water amidst the breaking waves. Buck immediately noticed that he was caught in a rip current and wasn’t making any forward progress. Rip currents are strong and narrow, and can victimize swimmers who panic or have limited water skills.
“I jumped down from my stand and grabbed my rescue can,” said the 5-foot-11 Buck. “As I was running toward the youngster, his head went under the water. When I got to him, he was very shaken up.
“I assured him he was OK and in good hands,” added Buck. “His mother was very thankful that I reached her son so quickly. I think both Sam and I understand how important it is to stay on your toes at all times.”
Sea Colony Beach Patrol
The Sea Colony Beach Patrol oversees half a mile of private beach daily from the weekend before Memorial Day to Columbus Day in October. The SCBP is a United States Lifeguard Association Advanced Certified Agency consisting of 21 guards, who are each certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Emergency Medical Response. Each of the six lifeguard stands are located in front of the Sea Colony high-rise condominiums near Bethany Beach.
SCBP lifeguards respond to land and water emergencies, and they provide information and education about hazards in the sun, weather and ocean. SCBP beach lifeguards train daily to prepare for any situation on land or in water, and they constantly strive to exceed their high standards of open-water safety.
Being responsible and leading
Buck said he feels that being a lifeguard means having to be responsible and leading others.
“You lead your patrol and enable everyone to improve,” he said. “I take pride in my job because it could mean life or death. Whenever I rescue someone or help them with a medical issue, it reminds me how serious this job can be.”
According to Buck, his job is never easy. He said a lifeguard must maintain a high standard of performance and hold everyone on the patrol accountable.
“The toughest part of our job is to maintain a high level of alertness all day long, especially when you’re sitting in the sun for nine hours,” said Buck. “It can be draining, so it’s critical that you keep that focus. Another challenge is having to perform during the extensive training, and learning all the different medical and rescue information.”
Buck became a lifeguard for the 2023 season at the urging of his friend, former SCBP guard Garrett Karres, who is now serving in the U.S. Army National Guard. “At first, I was reluctant to live in Delaware, since I’m from Florida,” said Buck, a native of New Smyrna Beach. “I decided to trust Garrett and come up with him for the summer. It turned out to be one of my best summers ever.
“Garrett showed me the ropes and taught me what it means to be a lifeguard,” added Buck.
“He helped guide me through my rookie training last year. And our captain, David ‘G-man’ Griffith is a knowledgeable guy with tons of experience from doing this his whole life.”
Buck’s short-term goal is to complete his education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. His long-term plan is to earn his pilot’s license and eventually follow in the footsteps of his mother, Laura Buck, by working for an airline or cargo carrier.
Article by Mike Stern, Coastal Point, August 2, 2024
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