The City of Carlsbad’s ocean lifeguard program is now in its fourth year, approved by the City Council in 2018. City lifeguards provide seasonal services at the three-quarter of a mile stretch of beach at the city’s north end, which is not part of the California State Parks system and was previously unguarded.

Carlsbad’s four lifeguard towers are staffed generally from springtime through October with lifeguards who receive advanced level training. We call them paramedic lifeguards. Here’s some of what they’ve been up to over the summer, from May 27 to Sept. 5:

• Rescues – 1,027
• Medical aids – 1,298
• Public education contacts – 3,892
• Preventative actions (safety contacts) – 18,828

Preventive actions include contact that lifeguards make with beachgoers when they notice risky or unsafe behaviors. For example, lifeguards advise swimmers to steer clear of riptides and remind kids to shuffle their feet to prevent stingray stings.

Learn more about the City of Carlsbad’s lifeguards.