The Lifeguard Project

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

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]

| Ep.18 | Greg Bonann: Producer of Baywatch

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]

| Ep.17 | Steve Long: Life, Leadership, and a Career in Lifeguarding

Today I interview Steve Long. Steve was a California State Parks lifeguard, and maybe the only lifeguard who never passed lifeguard training yet was chosen by leadership to Excel and fast track into leadership roles throughout his career. Steve worked in the golden age of lifeguarding in California and ended up as a supervising peace officer for California State Parks in the San Clemente area. Steve and I discuss, not just lifeguarding, but some of his personal philosophy on life and much, much more as always. 00:00 Introduction to Steve Long's Lifeguard Journey 01:18 Early Life and Passion for Swimming 04:09 College Years and Military Aspirations 08:31 The Decision to Pursue Lifeguarding 12:55 First Encounters with State Lifeguard Training 17:51 Becoming a Permanent Lifeguard 23:16 Fast-Tracking Through Lifeguard Roles 27:01 Memorable Experiences and Challenges 36:08 A Lifeguard's First Experience with Death 37:07 Rapid Career Advancement 40:04 Challenges and Tensions on the Beach 41:43 Becoming a Lifeguard Supervisor 46:23 Navigating Interjurisdictional Operations 51:35 Raising a Family in the Park 55:32 Returning to Lifeguarding 59:44 The Unique Role of Lifeguards 01:04:47 Balancing Work and Family 01:10:39 Encouraging the Next Generation 01:14:54 Rusty's Journey in Surfing and Career 01:15:34 Impact of Lifeguarding on Family and Career 01:16:34 Lifeguarding as a Metaphor for Life 01:18:34 The High Calling of Lifeguarding 01:21:30 Greg's Big Wave Incident 01:27:48 The Evolution of Lifeguarding Profession 01:28:46 The LA County Lifeguard Walkout 01:36:22 Advice for Future Lifeguards 01:42:29 Preserving San Onofre and Environmental Stewardship 01:48:32 Final Thoughts Link To The San Onofre Parks Foundation: https://sanoparks.org 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]

| R.1 | Rescue Testimonial | Caught in a Rip Current : Manhattan Beach, CA

This Rescue Testimonial from Emily Eisenberg explains how she got into trouble and finally rescued from a rip current in Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County on September 20th, 2020. Emily has a swimming background and very knowledgable about contacting lifeguards and approaching the beach safely. This day when there was less staffing, she found herself taking a dip and getting caught in a rip current with her friend. She expresses her feelings of shame and nervousness to ask for help from a surfer, and also how it was difficult to express to her friends what had happened. Emily's perspective is very insightful to lifeguards how a "standard" rip current rescue is not standard. There is an entirely different perspective that victims have as they go through the process of struggling in the water and becoming worried for their safety. There are also answers afterwards that do not get spoken about, along with many other details. Not all rescues are the same, victims and rescuers can all learn from this perspective. Have a story of your own? Please share! Thanks as always for listening! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations [https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations]