Enhancing Beach EMS

To the Editor: 
With calls for advanced emergency medical services (EMS) to become more readily available to the bathing public, the idea is to implement a series of changes in the way that pre-hospital care is performed on various beaches. 
These changes would be to encourage cross-training more lifeguards as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), providing increased coordination with local and state EMS in providing pre-hospital care, and initiating Advanced Life Support (ALS) on the beachfront.
In examining the need for ALS on the beach, it is important to recognize the inherent dangers involved in oceanic recreation.
Many consider the ocean to be a benign playground and underestimate its dangers, however, according to the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), over 88,000 rescues and 343,000 medical assists took place during the summer of 2016. Additionally, the USLA stated that during the same period, 175 deaths due to drowning occurred.
At present, all beach lifeguards are trained in basic first aid and CPR while cross-trained responders are prepared to serve as both lifeguards and EMTs or paramedics. Having these cross-trained responders immediately accessible in medical emergencies means having a variety of medications at the ready, the ability to perform advanced airway techniques, cardiac monitoring, and intravenous cannulation/therapy (IV) to name a few.
Cross-trained lifeguards located physically on the beach can apply their advanced skills within seconds after an injury or illness occurs. This will result in continued advanced care throughout the entire transport: a patient can be treated right on the beach by these dynamic healthcare providers and be closely monitored from onset of injury/illness to the arrival at a hospital’s emergency department.
In addition, having a combination of both EMTs and paramedics on the beach will result in shortened response times, which will improve patient outcomes in dire situations.
Other beaches have already begun deploying numerous EMTs to their shores to reap these benefits. In Hollywood, Fla., one of the most popular beaches in the country, a team of 33 lifeguards is supported by a whopping 25 EMTs!
New Jersey beaches could be equipped with a similar medically trained team at a fraction of the cost by utilizing more cross-trained lifeguards. Eventually, the end goal would be to have paramedics on the beach to not only back up the blanket of EMTs but to also lead patient care with providing advanced treatment techniques and medications, but for now, the verdict is clear: cross-trained lifeguards would save lives on any beach.