The Anti-Baywatch
The reality TV show Beach Patrol features real-life Honolulu lifeguards as they go about the very serious and often dangerous job of saving lives. Pictured here at Sandy Beach, from left, are J.R. Sloan, Tony Ho, Dave Loui, Dave Loganbill and Matt Miller
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Kala’i Ahuna at Sunset Beach
He finally resorts to just flashing the OK hand sign, to which the tourist and her friends then nod acceptingly.
As seen and demonstrated on the show, lifeguards are required to act quickly, deal with stressful and demanding rescues and handle life-or-death situations calmly and in control. For severe cases where hospitalization or further medical treatment is required, the fire, EMS and/or police departments are called to the scene to assist.
“When you see these lifeguards and how the rescues work and how skilled they are, it’s a slice of Hawaii that you don’t think about,” says Hersh. “I think that we portray these folks as heroes because I think they are. It’s not hero worship, but I think the sense that the viewer is left with is, what a heroic job that these people do every day. I think you really come away with that feeling.”
On the show, Loganbill was involved with a rescue a Spitting Caves where an intoxicated man decides to jump off the cliffs into the water and then is unable to get out. Loganbill jumps off the cliff to swim out to help the man stay afloat until the jet ski is able to pick them up and take the man to a safer shore. After reaching shore, the man, who is obviously intoxicated and barely able to stand, walks away shooing off efforts by Loganbill and the other rescue crew to help.
“You never know what’s going to happen; you have to be mentally prepared for anything,” says Loganbill.“It’s a great feeling when you save someone,whether they are grateful or not.”
Lifeguard Victor Marcal in action with Chad
Griepentrog and Peter Jones filming
In comparison to previous seasons filmed in Miami and San Diego, Beach Patrol: Honolulu is expected to be the most exciting yet. The extreme ocean conditions, the beautiful scenery and the level of expertise of the lifeguards makes for an intense and colorful season.
“I think the things that you see are not different in substance, but different in degree because when you’re swimming off the sandy beaches in San Diego where the waves are sort of lapping up gently to the shore, that’s a lot different than the cliffs and the rocks underneath the pounding surf in Hawaii,“says Hersh.“It’s amplified because of just the natural conditions of Hawaii. So the lifeguards really see it all and we really believe after seeing them in action that they are really the best in the world.”
For a safer beach experience, here are some lifeguard tips
* Always swim at a guarded beach
* Consult lifeguards about ocean conditions before you go into the water
* Heed all warning signs
* Never swim alone
* Never go out farther than you can swim
* Know your limits - if in doubt, don’t go out
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