San Diego Fire Rescue Junior Lifeguard Pier Jump

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The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Lifeguard Division organizes a Junior Lifeguard Program each year to teach aspiring lifeguards the life saving skills they may one day need to use.  Part of this program is a "Pier Jump" from the Ocean Beach Pier.

Normally, it is illegal to jump off or dive off of the pier, and it is extremely dangerous for those who are not strong swimmers.  However, each summer after weeks of training, hundreds of Junior Lifeguards take the plunge.

Ten year old Tyler Muckerman, who jumped off the pier for the first time, explains the experience saying, "It was like a majestic eagle, except once you hit the water, you went really deep and it was hard to come up.  But it was awesome!"  Although he said he was scared beforehand, he would enjoy doing it again and recommends it to other kids thinking about becoming a Junior Lifeguard and making the Pier Jump.

Safety is always foremost, and the San Diego Fire Rescue Department Lifeguards prepare for and monitor the event closely.  Lizzie Schneider, a Lifeguard Intern explains, "We have a big presence in the water.  That's our first priority.  We have interns on boards and we have a lifeguard boat for injuries.  We just prime the kids for days beforehand and let them know the exact procedure of how to jump in so that they don't hurt themselves.  If anything, it's going to be just a little sting."

Once the kids are in the water they have a long swim back to shore.  Because of this Schneider says there is a resting trampoline set up in the water for the kids to rest on before making the swim.

The event is held each summer, giving the future lifeguards the skills they may one day need to make an ocean rescue.


Author:Deanne Goodman - FDNNTV.com