Registration is open for the City's January 24-March 14 Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard program. All classes are at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center.
The program focuses on people ages 10-15 who enjoy the beach and ocean, and who would like to learn water safety and lifesaving skills, including CPR, while also participating in fun games and activities. For successful participants, the program can also offer a path to eventual seasonal employment as one of the city's Ocean Lifeguards (age 16-plus).
The North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department sponsors the program and Beach Patrol Officers teach the classes. Several trained and experienced Ocean Lifeguards also assist in teaching the program.
Participants engage in fun, physical exercises that encourage them to work in teams, build confidence, and learn lifesaving skills.
All classes are at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center (AFC) from 6:45pm to 8:15pm.
PRETEST REQUIREMENT: Saturday, January 19, 3:00pm at the AFC. All participants who have not previously completed the course and are not on a swim team must perform a 50-yard (two laps of the pool) swim test to demonstrate swimming ability. Participants do not have to be fast swimmers, but must be comfortable enough in the water in order to ensure a safe and fun learning environment.
Lesson 1 (January 24) – All Lessons are 6:45pm-8:15pm
Welcome and Orientation, Recognizing Emergencies, Victim Recognition, Lifeguard Equipment, Reaching Assists
Lesson 2 (January 29)
Knowing your Environment, RID Factor, Surveillance and Scanning, Throwing Assists
Lesson 3 (January 31)
General Procedures, Entering the Water, Entries and Approaches
Lesson 4 (February 5)
Procedures for an Emergency, Primary Assessment
Lesson 5 (February 7)
Emergency Action Plan, Rescues at or Near the Surface
Lesson 6 (February 12)
Educating Others, Conflict Resolution, FIND Model, Injury Prevention, Submerged Victim Shallow Water
Lesson 7 (February 14)
Walking Assist, Two Person Removal from Water, Escapes
Lesson 8 (February 19)
Conscious Choking, Ventilations, Unconscious Choking
Lesson 9 (February 21)
The Cardiac Chain, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Using an Automated External Defibrillator
Lesson 10 (February 26)
Facility Safety Check, Preparation for Shadowing, Currents
Lesson 11 (February 28)
Handling Difficult Situations, Aquatic Hazards,
Lesson 12 (March 5)
First Aid, Secondary Assessment
Lesson 13 (March 7)
Head, Neck and Back Injuries
Lesson 14 (March 12)
Survival Floating, Preparation for Shadowing, Skills Review
Lesson 15 (March 14)
Course Review, Written Assessment, Final Skills
The cost for the program is $25, which includes a backpack, rash-guard swim shirt, and a Junior Lifeguard manual.
To learn more about the program, please call the City’s Beach Patrol at 843-281-3819.
Register for the Junior Lifeguard Program at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center, 1100 2nd Avenue South.