The Lifeguard Project

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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations [https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations]

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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations [https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations]

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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations [https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations]

| S.5 | Expression Session: Inspiring Epilogue from "Stories from Sea Level" by Ed Vodrazka

Lifeguard Legend Ed Vodrazka (Eddie V) recites the inspirational epilogue from his book - Stories from Sea Level. This book is a hand-picked assemblage of truly exceptional ocean-related events which occurred within the 50-year span between 1969 and 2019. The lifeguards featured in these stories work for various agencies between San Diego and the Sonoma Coast. Of note, the lifeguards themselves provided the author with the details and specifics necessary to accurately immortalize their remarkable and dramatic events. This collection of their accounts are offered by the author as a sincere homage to all lifeguards (past, present, and future) who diligently patrol the California coastline ensuring the safety of the general public. Find it here: https://a.co/d/7tqoWyR Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations [https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations]

Greg Bonann: Producer of Baywatch | Ep.18 |

Welcome to a very special episode on the Lifeguard Project podcast. Today, we get to sit down with Greg Bonann, the creator and producer of Baywatch. At its peak, Baywatch became the most-watched television show in the world, airing in over 140 countries and reaching more than a billion viewers each week. Today, Greg shares his journey from his early start as a kid facing challenges to his first rescues as an LA County lifeguard. Moments that shaped his purpose long before Hollywood came calling. And now 30 years later, Baywatch is returning in 2026 with Greg once again leading the charge, bringing in a new vision, while staying true to the show's roots of courage, community, and rescue. 00:00 Introduction to Greg Bonann and Baywatch 01:13 Greg's Early Life and Challenges 04:04 High School Swimming and Lifeguarding Beginnings 09:13 Mentorship and Lifeguard Training 21:18 The Lifeguard Brotherhood and Early Experiences 28:30 The Birth of a Storyteller 31:51 The Rescue That Sparked Baywatch 42:32 A Desperate Rescue 43:04 The Struggle to Save a Life 45:10 A Happy Ending and Reflections 46:18 The Frustration of Storytelling 46:52 Baywatch's Early Challenges 48:18 The Lifeguard's Journey 51:40 Junior Lifeguard Program 59:03 The Road to Red 01:06:27 The Importance of Mentorship 01:10:29 Baywatch's Global Impact 01:23:21 Pam's Underwater Training 01:23:53 Lifeguard Training and Challenges 01:25:06 Baywatch's Impact and Recognition 01:27:22 Authenticity in Lifeguard Representation 01:30:37 Challenges in TV Production 01:33:50 Baywatch's Legacy and Future 01:45:46 Personal Reflections and Future Goals Read More About Greg Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_J._Bonann [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_J._Bonann] 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/] Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations [https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations]