Brigantine’s Rookie Lifeguards Ready to Save Lives on the Jersey Shore

BRIGANTINE, NJ (CBS) – For many, this summer’s plans will include a trip to the Jersey Shore and the beach.

Lifeguards have the very important task of monitoring the waters and the Brigantine Beach Patrol is prepared for the influx of visitors this summer.

When CBS News Philadelphia stopped by, they were just doing a drill. However, the training that is taking place could very well save a life in the future. Certified lifeguards from the Brigantine Beach Patrol prepare recruits for the event that they ever have to go to the hospital. save someone who is stranded at sea.

“Most of them are 16, but we ask a lot of them,” said Ron DeFelice, a new instructor.

DeFelice is one of the instructors with the Brigantine Beach Patrol. This summer, the patrol trained 18 novice lifeguards to monitor the beaches.

“It’s a fun experience overall, but it’s definitely challenging,” said Tiki Keats, one of this year’s recruits.

Following a national trend, they say hiring lifeguards in Brigantine It’s hard. But if you want to work here, you just have to be 16 and know how to swim and run. And everything else, they’ll teach you.

New Jersey requires all of its beach lifeguards to complete 40 hours of training that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced first aid. In Brigantine, beginners earn additional certifications and complete 48 hours of training over six days before going on patrol. Keats is following in his grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a lifeguard in Brigantine.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a beach keeper here,” Keats said. “I just want to protect people on the beach and give them the experience I had as a kid.”

Current patrol leader Kip Emig has been with the headquarters for 42 years. He has also fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a lifeguard.

“It’s something that’s been with me since I was a kid,” Emig said. “I remember when I was 17, my mom came to me and I said, ‘I love this job.’ She said, ‘You better become a teacher.’”

Emig has lived that beach life and taught his entire career. He recently retired from Hatboro Horsham High School where he worked as a gym and health teacher. Emig now leads 109 lifeguards in Brigantine, monitoring nearly five miles of coastline.

He has a few words to say to the new recruits.

“Every year at the beginning of the year we have a quote… ‘This is the best job you’ll ever have.’ And it really is. You’re at the beach every day,” Emig said.

As Keats prepares for this new role, he is reminded of the importance of this work.

“You are a public servant, so no matter what happens in the water, on the beach or even when you are off duty, you are serving the public,” Keats said.

In August, the Brigantine Beach Patrol will defend its championship at the 2024 USLA Lifeguard National Championships.

They will compete against other beach lifeguards in a series of rowing and swimming events for the title.