05-02-2025
South Walton Fire District reports zero drownings in 2024
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – South Walton Fire Rescue officials say expanded water safety education efforts seem to have paid off.
In 2023, lifeguards performed 141 water rescues. 4 people drowned off South Walton beaches. 3 of those occurred during a 16-day stretch in June with extreme rip currents.
Last year lifeguards performed only 60 water rescues, and there were no drownings. That was with a 26% increase in the number of beach-goers.
Beach Safety Director David Vaughan says lifeguards create a safer beach environment through education.
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'We've had a lot of significant rescues. It's really for people who come in and aren't really aware of how dangerous it can be out there and they get themselves into trouble. We're really good at getting them out of that trouble.'
Vaughn says the key is to start educating kids, and the Junior Lifeguard Program helps. More than 200 children aged 9 to 16 learn CPR and first aid training.
To learn more about the Junior Lifeguard Program, click here.
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