VERO BEACH — Early morning boardwalk and beach walkers at Jaycee Park did a few double-takes Wednesday as they watched Vero Beach City Councilman Jay Kramer being “rescued” – several times over – by teams of Vero Beach lifeguards.
Kramer had agreed to be the “victim” in a training exercise at the request of senior Ocean Rescue lifeguard Erik Toomsoo.
“I’m sure it will be an experience,” said Kramer, who was charged with mimicking someone who was exhausted, but conscious and semi-ambulatory.
In addition to the water rescue, the challenge simulated a demonstration of medical skills, with lifeguards administering oxygen after measuring Kramer’s blood-pressure and oxygen saturation, followed by a race through an obstacle course and other directives – all while occasionally being pelted with small water balloons tossed by fellow lifeguards.
“It’s called the kitchen sink,” explained Toomsoo, who set up this month’s timed, competitive exercise.
“It’s controlled chaos; the water balloons are an added element of stress. We need it to mimic as stressful an environment as possible; like most of our emergencies on the beach.”
The five participants teamed up in pairs, with Stephen Harkness drawing the short-straw to compete twice.
“Most of our staff is part-time; they make it when they can,” said Toomsoo, noting that of the seven full-time lifeguards, one was at Leisure Square.
“We’d like to be able to do more training but it takes money. It all boils down to that.”
Timing began as Kramer waved his arms from about 50 yards out, with team one’s Harkness and Kris Bottger racing into the surf, exhibiting the careful teamwork they have developed over the years to keep swimmers safe.
Team two consisted of Rokus Cesnakaukus and Mike Spielman, and the second time was a charm for Harkness, joined by Colter Hanawalt as team three.
The pair had the best time and was awarded with gift certificates for dinner, donated by Waldos.
“Lives are on the line,” said Bottger, Ocean Rescue lieutenant and training officer, of the critical nature of their job and the importance of regular training.
“We’re really happy Mr. Kramer was here to see what we do. It’s invaluable for City Council and County Commissioners to understand the value of what we do,” he added.
“Erik set up a great training experience today to simulate being under pressure and under stress; the multiple aspects of an ocean rescue. This is a great group of professionals and they’re all really motivated to improving themselves.”
They practice twice monthly during the four summer months, and once a month in the winter, and have reached out to other groups as a way to encourage cooperative efforts and continually broaden their skills.
Next month they hope to train with the Fire Rescue dive team, and an expert kite-boarder has volunteered to provide pointers for those sorts of rescues.
“We’ve pulled four or five out of the water in the last few years. There’s a lot of rigging involved and they can get tangled in it in the water,” explained Bottger.
As he awaited his next plunge into the ocean, Kramer praised the teams and said he could appreciate all their hard work, adding that his mother had been a lifeguard when he was growing up.
“They’re wanting to get another station; it’s probably a good idea,” said Kramer. “The question is – how do you fund it?”
Toomsoo, president of the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, and others have been advocating for a lifeguard station at Sexton Plaza.
As Vero Beach 32963 reported last month, despite the record-breaking number of beachgoers on its guarded beaches this past season, the heart of Central Beach, from just north of the Driftwood to the Village Spires continues to be unguarded and completely out of their line of sight.
Another contentious issue is having city and county lifeguards under the jurisdiction of recreation departments.
“That’s always been the argument – whether it should be under recreation or public safety. I think it should be public safety,” said Kramer.
He asked, “Erik, what do you think?”
And Toomsoo was quick to respond, “Public safety.”
