Lifeguards, firefighters train together

Manatee County Marine Rescue conducts water rescue workshops for West Manatee Fire Rescue personnel.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - Since many water rescues involve both Manatee County Marine Rescue and West Manatee Fire Rescue personnel, a recent series of joint training exercises enhanced their coordinated efforts to save lives.

The water rescue workshops were organized by Manatee County Marine Rescue at Coquina Beach on May 2-4.

“We are building relationships here,” Manatee County Beach Patrol Lt. Marshall Greene said on Thursday.

“Both WMFR and Beach Patrol work hand in hand on most - if not all - scenarios, so this water rescued training is vital in building the working relationships and familiarity with each other as we approach storm season,” Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan said.

Three in-water scenarios were practiced - a rescue with no equipment, a res- cue with a Peterson belt, also known as a rescue tube, and a rescue using a board.

“Keep in mind, if you lose your equipment going out, then you become the equipment,” Greene said.

“Use of a board depends on how far the victim is out there,” Greene said. “The main point is getting to them. Once you get to them, the rescue is easy.”

Lifeguards demonstrated techniques such as “high stepping,” which is jumping over waves with the goal of getting to a victim quickly.

Manatee County Marine Rescue Chief

Joe Westerman told The Sun last year that an annual average of 90-135 riptide rescues are made at the three Anna Maria Island public beaches - Manatee, Cortez and Coquina - and Manatee County lifeguards may have prevented a corresponding number of potential deaths.

Being a lifeguard is a physically demanding job. According to the Beach Lifeguard I or II job descriptions posted by Manatee County, the following are among the job requirements:

“Must be able to demonstrate successfully 50 meters of each of the following swim strokes in a pool: freestyle, breast stroke, sidestroke and backstroke. Must be able to run ½ mile in 3:30 minutes or less, swim 500 meters in open water in 10 minutes or less and demonstrate a non-equipment rescue of an active, panicked victim from 100 meters offshore. Must be able to demonstrate paddling a rescue board approximately 200 meters.” Candidates must also be able to acquire and maintain American Heart Association CPR certification and First Responder/ EMR or First-Aid Certification within 30 days of the hire date.

Breakfast at Blueberries

Blueberries Cafe and Wine Bar, 5337 Gulf Drive, #300 in Holmes Beach, hosted the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce breakfast on May 4. From left are Scott Hoogewind, Ryan and Marcy Pfahler (GI Bins), Stephanie Behling and Dr. Debbie Hutch (Turning Tides), Becky Lietzau (standing, AMI Chamber), David Baptiste (Trustco Bank), Felica Goett (Blooms By The Beach), Bob Slicker (Slicker's Eatery) and John Lappin (Concord Home Mortgage).

AMI Chamber lunch Thursday

Each month, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce holds a networking lunch for members and those considering becoming members. The May lunch will be held at The Porch Restaurant, 9707 Gulf Drive N. in Anna Maria on Thursday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To RSVP and choose your menu items for this event, email becky@amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541.

Turning Tides opens

Turning Tides and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce invite the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 11 from 4-7 p.m. at their new 6672 Cortez Road W. Bradenton location. Meet the staff, learn about special event pricing and enter to win a bundle valued at $500. Turning Tides is a whole-body wellness sanctuary with dozens of services to aid in mind and body wellness.