We’d all like to make a difference in our brief stay on this blue planet; what greater difference can one make than saving a life?

When you trek our Long Beach summer sands, lifeguards look like they’re there for the fun, just like you.

Not!

As you’ve seen in my last essay, Long Beach lifeguards, when not working the stand, are constantly training.

I can’t trek the beach or bike the boards without seeing training or workouts in one way or another.

When they are not on their lifeguard stands, they might be doing handstands.

They are constantly pushing their limits: building muscle…

…strengthening core…

…increasing stamina.

I’ve always been in awe of Long Beach lifeguards. What commitment and responsibility in a summer job.

Life is about making a difference.

In my teen years I put cans of corn on the shelves of our local A&P. My work didn’t make quite the difference as these young people, but I did ensure all the Niblets labels were facing forward. That counts too, ya know.

Recently, I was on the beach, and the lady near me asked how good the lifeguards were, adding, “Some are quite young.” I said, “They are the best.” As if on cue, just near me and the lady, a crew burst into action in a rescue drill.

The “rescued” is all smiles.

The workout received fist-pump kudos from the boss, Capt Mike Lundwall:

I also recently encountered two veteran Long Beach lifeguards, Connor and Connor—yes, the same names—who enlightened me about life-saving protocols.

In the event of a rescue, one member stays on the lifeguard stand to ensure other swimmers are not in danger, monitor the radio, and monitor nearby beaches. The radio may call for help to respond to other beaches when needed. I did not know any of that, but I learned of an event that went as smoothly and professionally as life-saving teamwork can.

On Wednesday, July 24th, I happened to be at the Central Lifeguard Station when Donna Hood and her daughter Brianna arrived. Donna is familiar with emergencies; she’s a Long Beach Police Department dispatcher.

Donna said that thirteen-year-old Brianna was saved from drowning at Lindell Beach yesterday. She said the lifeguards did a great job and wanted to ensure their supervisors knew it. She also said, “Their work is underappreciated along with other responders, police, fire, EMS,” and many others.

Donna spoke with the Lifeguard Office Manager, Jean Giovanniello, who said that of the three lifeguard team members, Sean Sarmuksnis, Alex Ramirez, and Paulina Alfasi, only Alex was scheduled to work today, and he came on later.

Donna said Brianna was at Lindell Beach with her dad and their granddaughter when she decided to go into the water by herself. Brianna was on an underwater sand shelf when she stepped off, and a rip tide took her out and down.

Donna said her husband saw lifeguards swim out to rescue Brianna. Brianna had swallowed some water, but when paramedics arrived, they said she was fine.

Brianna attends Long Beach Middle School and agreed that she now had a good story to tell when she returned in the fall.

It’s easy to see how much of a loving mom Donna is, but she’s also a caring human who wants to express her gratitude when she can.

I went to Lindell Beach and spoke with Alex Ramirez, an eight-year Senior Lifeguard veteran. Alex said initially, Brianna was about the length of the nearby jetty in the water but was dragged by the current to a distance of about three lengths from the jetty.

Alex said while he and Paulina were on the lifeguard stand, Sean was just coming out of the water. He said Brianna was “being pulled back as she was trying to swim in, but obviously couldn’t,” He said they sent Sean, who was at the water’s edge, to the rescue.

Sean got to her quickly with his torpedo, but when Alex and Pauline saw Sean had difficulty bringing her in, Alex went in to help.

Alex said Brianna didn’t just hold onto the side handles of the torp as most people do but had pulled herself up and onto the torp. He had never seen that in his eight years of service, and it probably caused Sean the difficulty. Alex said he felt !00 percent good about this save. He said he’s had “a bunch of saves, over eight years.”

While speaking with Alex, Sean, who lives nearby, arrived.

Eighteen years old and a three-year lifeguard, Sean said, “I was just coming out of the ocean, and the other lifeguards told me to go out.” He said he saw Brianna getting pulled backward out toward the ocean.” He said, “I grabbed my torp, went in, and grabbed her.”

Sean added, “It was tough going, so Alex Ramirez came in to help me.” He said, typically, someone would hold onto the handles, but she was around it, so it was kind of a struggle.” I said, “She was probably scared,” He said, “Yeah, you can’t blame her.” No, you certainly cannot.

If it were me, I might have stuffed that torp down my swim trunks.

Sean said the rescue was an accomplishment and a proud moment for him. It was his first save this summer, but he’s had others.

At a later date, at Tennessee Beach, I spoke with Paulina Alfasi, the third team member. Paulina just graduated from Long Beach High School and is a third-year lifeguard.

Paulina said the water was rough that day, and she noticed a rip just in line with the left flags. She said Brianna had been going in and out all day and she kept an eye on her. But this time, she saw the rip pull her out. She said, “She just darted out.”

Paulina said she handed Sean the torp and said, “Go.” Soon, she and Alex saw that Sean was having trouble coming in with her, so Alex went in to help.

With both teammates in the sea, Paulina found herself “running the rescue.” She had to clear the water—get other swimmers out with whistles and commands—and radio Headquarters that “we have two torps (lifeguards) in, and one victim.”

She took the umbrella down, which she said “signifies to neighboring beaches that a rescue is going on.”

Paulina has had other saves before, and when I asked her how she felt about them, she said, “It’s definitely a rush of adrenaline. It makes you feel good. You feel that someone else’s life is in your hands, and they can trust you. It’s definitely a rewarding feeling.”

On my bike ride home, I stopped by and spoke with Capt. Kevin Bradish at the West Lifeguard station. He told me he’s there for five days, and they work out for four days. He said you’ve got to keep them in shape. He said, “The kids love it.” Today, they swam 3/4 of a mile out, then back.

All of this training comes together in one moment: to keep one heartbeat going and one family member alive.

This was professional teamwork in action. A rescue performed as if it were just another day at the office. But when scrutinizing this event, it’s evident that teamwork, training, fitness, and, most importantly, diligence paid off.

I can imagine myself sitting atop a sand mound, looking out to sea hour after hour. It would be so easy to get deep into thoughts, chat with teammates, or scroll on a phone. And in that moment—one horrible moment—a life could be lost.

That didn’t happen this summer day in Long Beach, and the diligence of Long Beach lifeguards is the reason.

I recall the chat at the lifeguard station where Donna Hood reminded Brianna about good swimming rules, including never swimming without lifeguards. We’ve all heard it, and after a while, it sounds like, “Eat your vegetables.” But those words need to carry weight with all of us. Brianna, indignant, said to her mom, “I would never do that; that’s the stupidest level of stupid.” It’s obvious Brianna, at thirteen, has wisdom far beyond her years. It is so sad that too many others lack that wisdom.

The ocean is so beautiful and so much fun, but errors of judgment can take lives and rip holes in hearts that will never heal.

This day the sea didn’t take a young life. Brianna will be back at her school desk this fall, back at the family’s holiday table, and maybe, someday, find herself on a lifeguard stand.

Be well,

Leebythesea

My previous Lifeguard photo essays:

Lifeguards and life

Of Lifeguards and LIfe on Our Shore

My Beat, Subway to Sand

keeping a Sunny Day Sunny

In the Spring of Life, death

Summer, And Once Again…Death

Lifeguard

Lifeguard II