The Lifeguard Project

Responder Round-Up 2026 Drowning Expert Panel Discussion

Welcome to a unique episode of The Lifeguard Project Podcast. Today, you're going to get to hear from the panel of experts who spoke at the Responder Roundup, which happened May 6th and 7th, 2026, in San Luis Obispo, California. The Responder Roundup brought in 250 first responders from over 40 different agencies to train in high-fidelity drowning training over the course of two days. This specific panel discussion focuses on the local impacts of drowning, how agencies might approach establishing drowning protocols, and general concepts overall. Hope you enjoy this very unique episode, and look out for future trainings and links for when another one of these roundups might be happening. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Panelist introductions 02:43 Origin of San Luis Obispo County's drowning protocol 03:27 Sandra's story: the pool rescue 09:14 Why lifeguards matter in the first five minutes 10:05 The value of "up-training" for non-EMS responders 12:14 Implementing the protocol: navigating red tape 14:18 Advocacy in smaller vs. larger counties 15:34 Serving up solutions "on a platter" 17:33 Changing the language: drowning vs. near-drowning 19:04 Getting dispatch on the same page 19:53 New Zealand's approach to bystander CPR training 21:54 Why high-fidelity mannequins matter 25:22 The training gap for pool and beach lifeguards 25:46 Stress inoculation and realistic training 28:31 Falling back on your training under pressure 29:28 Communicating with your team before the emergency 30:15 A real Saturday call: multi-agency response 31:38 You may be the most trained person on scene 32:34 Handling pushback from other responders 39:16 Advocacy through networking and community 43:06 Closing thoughts from the panel 46:38 Closing remarks and gratitude Watch On YouTube Here: https://youtu.be/pWqVHFU4Ywk [https://youtu.be/pWqVHFU4Ywk] Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ [https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/] https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ [https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/] Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682] https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t [https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t] https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/] https://thelifeguardproject.org/ [https://thelifeguardproject.org/] Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.instagram.com/drasko_projects [https://www.instagram.com/drasko_projects] Water Safety, Drowning Prevention, Responder Roundup, EMS Training, First Responders, Lifeguard Training, CPR Training, Drowning Resuscitation, Public Safety, Emergency Medicine

Courtney Conlogue: From World Tour to Lifeguard Tower

Welcome to another episode of the Lifeguard Project Podcast. Today's guest is Courtney Conlogue, one of American surfing's fiercest and most accomplished competitors. Courtney is a Santa Ana native who fell in love with surfing at age four, and went on to become one of the youngest athletes ever selected to the USA Junior Surf Team. She spent 13 years on the WSL tour, and built a career defined by power, grit, and resilience. Today, we dive into her illustrious surfing career, as well as her recent entry into the Huntington Beach Fire Marine Safety Division, or Huntington City Lifeguards. We talk all things about the ocean, surfing, family, resilience, and how she's made it this far, as well as a fresh perspective of an experienced surfer in the lifeguard world. 00:00 Intro 01:42 Courtney's ocean roots and family upbringing 06:36 The "inland kid" stereotype and earning her stripes 11:31 Reading conditions like a lifeguard vs. a surfer 17:31 Courtney's color-coded rip current system 23:53 Deciding to try out for Huntington City Lifeguards 26:31 Swim training and the pool tryout 29:39 The ocean tryout and academy experience 32:21 Staying calm under pressure: lessons from competing 40:03 A real rescue: getting three panicked swimmers to shore 44:31 Rookie year nerves and learning tower body language 52:04 Instinct, ego, and knowing when to ask for help 53:35 A close call at Sunset Beach 1:01:11 Pressure and proving herself as a pro surfer turned rookie guard 1:09:43 The ESPN Body Issue and redefining lifeguard imagery 1:19:06 Art, painting, and the Sea Tiger brand 1:26:23 Surf therapy and coaching athletes on the spectrum 1:34:37 Full circle: what lifeguarding gives back 1:35:42 The Tahiti story — a medical emergency with her mom mid-final 1:50:00 Closing thoughts and gratitude Follow Courtney Here: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyconlogue/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/courtneyconlogue/?hl=en] Watch On YouTube Here: https://youtu.be/ncDmU5hQyCg [https://youtu.be/ncDmU5hQyCg] Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ [https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/] https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ [https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/] Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682] https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t [https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t] https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/] https://thelifeguardproject.org/ [https://thelifeguardproject.org/] Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ [https://www.bogdogphoto.com/] https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ [https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/] Water Safety, Lifeguard Training, Courtney Conlogue, Professional Surfing, Ocean Rescue, Huntington Beach Lifeguards, Rip Current Awareness, Big Wave Surfing, Drowning Prevention, WSL Tour

Dr. Justin Sempsrott: The Drowning Episode, Everything You Thought You Knew, and More (PART 2) | Ep.21 |

WANT TO SEE JUSTIN SEMPSROTT LIVE? Sign up for The Lifeguard Project’s first training event, The RESPONDER ROUND-UP: https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundup [https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundup] This week we are back with Part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Justin Sempsrott, an emergency medical physician and drowning specialist who spent the last two decades advancing drowning resuscitation. In 2006, he co-founded Lifeguards Without Borders after seeing the massive and preventable global burden of drowning, especially in low and middle income countries. In the last five years alone, Justin has lectured on drowning resuscitation to over 10,000 pre-hospital providers, including Air Force Paratroopers, Navy Seals and other special forces medics has also helped spearhead numerous studies, which have become the latest science for Industrywide as well as statewide drowning protocols. 00:00 Welcome to Part 2 01:10 Drowning Rhythm Basics 03:48 AED Timing Decisions 06:03 Responder Roundup Promo 07:44 Vigilance And Scene Context 11:54 Profiling Risky Swimmers 14:00 Pools Versus Beaches 15:38 Global Drowning Burden 18:06 Medical Oversight Innovation 23:19 Implementing New Science 26:56 Rescuer Mental Health 28:50 Nonfatal Drowning Aftermath 30:13 Families And Prevention Advocacy 36:36 Equity And Generational Barriers 41:12 Multisector Solutions 45:28 What Works In Practice 50:13 Community Prevention Tactics 54:23 Valuing Lifeguards In Systems 56:06 Driving Change Upstream 57:49 Data Beats Tradition 01:00:44 Rethinking C Spine Care 01:03:24 Textbooks Journals Conferences 01:04:13 Compassion Through Repetition 01:07:33 Mentorship Fuels Momentum 01:13:37 Join the Drowning Network 01:17:28 Cross Discipline Safety Lessons 01:21:31 Breath Hold Training In Light 01:27:02 When Healthy Swimmers Drown 01:29:22 High Fidelity Beach Scenarios 01:34:16 Continuum Care and Dispatch 01:40:56 Embrace Change and Creditless 01:42:21 Final Thanks and Wrap Thanks for listening! Check out these links for more! Drowning Presentation [https://vimeo.com/showcase/10505871?fe=fs&fl=so] 2024 AHA Drowning Guidelines [https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001274?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&url_ver=Z39.88-2003] Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ drowning resuscitation, drowning prevention, drowning science, drowning definition update, near drowning definition change, lifeguard CPR rescue breathing, oxygen first drowning protocol, BVM ventilation in drowning, foam and vomiting in drowning, jaw thrust airway management, compression-only CPR vs drowning CPR, pediatric drowning prevention, Lifeguards Without Borders, global drowning statistics, water safety education, EMS drowning protocols

Dr. Justin Sempsrott: The Drowning Episode, Everything You Thought You Knew, and More (PART 1) | Ep.20 |

WANT TO SEE JUSTIN SEMPSROTT LIVE? Sign up for The Lifeguard Project’s first training event, The RESPONDER ROUND-UP: https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundup [https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundup] These episodes are a must listen for anyone curious about all things drowning. From professionals to public. Dr. Justin Sempsrott is an emergency medicine physician and drowning specialist who’s spent the last two decades advancing drowning resuscitation. We split this episode into a two part recording in order to discuss in detail everything from physiology to advancements in care, global policy, studies, science, and every aspect of drowning management from prevention, to water rescue, conscious victims, and all the way to the hospital. Justin's extensive experience is a valuable asset to the lifeguard project podcast as it makes our community in tune with the latest updates in the world of water rescue and drowning prevention. Justin started as a beach lifeguard in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 1996. In 2006, he co-founded Lifeguards Without Borders after seeing the massive and preventable global burden of drowning, especially in low- and middle-income countries. He’s provided consultation, training, and medical education across the world working with lifeguards, nurses, physicians, and responders in places like Peru, Portugal, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Canada, and beyond. In the last five years alone, Justin has lectured on drowning resuscitation to more than 10,000 prehospital providers including U.S. Air Force PJ’s, Navy SEALs, and other special operations medics. He has also helped spearhead numerous studies which have become the latest science for industry wide as well as statewide drowning protocols, most recently in San Luis Obispo County and in conjunction with the Lifeguard Project. He also brings experience from wilderness medicine and mass gathering medicine, serving as Associate Medical Director for the Burning Man Medical Operations and continues to work in several emergency departments. 00:00 Meet Dr Justin Sempsrott 01:34 Early Life Overseas 03:29 Childhood Drowning Scare 06:53 Lifeguarding Beginnings 08:45 From Beach to Med School 11:49 First Major Rescue 13:47 Finding the Drowning Community 17:27 Global Drowning Reality Check 19:53 Bangladesh Data and Daycares 23:07 Defining Drowning Properly 27:58 Prevention and Behavior Change 32:52 Resuscitation Priorities for Drowning 40:40 Oxygen First on Scene 51:00 Cross Training First Responders 52:25 Preplanning With Lifeguards 52:51 Don’t Break What Works 54:19 Micro Delays Matter 55:05 Salt Vs Fresh Water 56:18 Antibiotics And Myths 57:33 Cold Water Realities 01:00:14 Rescue To Recovery Calls 01:04:38 Laryngospasm Explained 01:10:40 Foam Cough And Triage 01:16:25 Delayed Drowning Debunked 01:18:14 Airway Tools Priorities 01:25:29 Ventilator Strategy Basics 01:27:20 Updating Drowning Protocols 01:37:30 Final Thoughts Thanks for listening! Check out these links for more! Drowning Presentation [https://vimeo.com/showcase/10505871?fe=fs&fl=so] 2024 AHA Drowning Guidelines [https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001274?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&url_ver=Z39.88-2003] Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ drowning resuscitation, drowning prevention, drowning science, drowning definition update, near drowning definition change, lifeguard CPR rescue breathing, oxygen first drowning protocol, BVM ventilation in drowning, foam and vomiting in drowning, jaw thrust airway management, compression-only CPR vs drowning CPR, pediatric drowning prevention, Lifeguards Without Borders, global drowning statistics, water safety education, EMS drowning protocols

Don Lester: Inside the World of Swift Water Rescue | Ep.19 |

Don Lester is a veteran swift water and technical rescue professional with extensive field experience across firefighting, emergency medical response, and advanced rescue instruction. Over the course of his career, Don logged more than 150 days per season on the water and served as both a Swift Water Rescue instructor and a Rescue 3 International instructor trainer. Known for his thoughtful and disciplined approach, Don emphasizes continuous learning and risk awareness in dynamic water environments. This episode is essential listening for lifeguards, firefighters, river professionals, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of water rescue safety. 00:00 Introduction 00:08 Meet Don Lester: Swiftwater, Technical Rescue Expert 00:53 A Day on the American River 01:10 Don's Early Life and Rafting Beginnings 01:40 Innovations in Rafting and Early Adventures 06:31 Guiding and Professional Development 08:12 Pioneering Whitewater and Rescue Techniques 19:59 Teaching Philosophy and Influences 29:02 Lifeguard Training and Swift Water Rescue 36:00 Throw Bag Rescue Techniques 36:52 Mindset Differences: Lifeguards vs. Firefighters 38:09 Balancing Planning and Action in Rescues 40:21 A Real-Life Rescue Story 46:20 The Importance of Training and Experience 54:40 Creating Effective Rescue Teams 01:13:31 The Evolution of Emergency Medicine 01:14:26 Learning from Real-World Experiences 01:15:42 Challenges and Adaptations in Rescue Training 01:17:46 The Complexities of Tsunami and Flood Rescues 01:23:55 Mental Health in Rescue Work 01:27:15 The Importance of Practice and Preparedness 01:35:49 Old Growth Rescue: A New Initiative 01:38:57 Final Thoughts Read More About Don Here: https://oldgrowthrescue.com/ [https://oldgrowthrescue.com/] Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ [https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/] https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ [https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/] Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682] https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t [https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t] https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/] https://thelifeguardproject.org/ [https://thelifeguardproject.org/] Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ [https://www.bogdogphoto.com/] https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ [https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/] #SwiftWaterRescue #LifeguardPodcast #FirstResponderTraining #TheLifeguardProjectPodcast #BenCarlsonFoundation #WaterRescue #RiverRescue #LifeguardLife #FirstResponders #FirefighterTraining #EMTLife #TechnicalRescue #RescueTraining #RiverGuide #FloodRescue #WaterSafety #SearchAndRescue #EmergencyResponse #RescueMindset #OceanSafety