Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have shifted to winter staffing levels as of Sunday, Oct.14, and this week the lifeguard towers will be taken off the beach until the 2019 lifeguard season. Lifeguards will maintain a presence on Pensacola Beach throughout the winter primarily via patrol vehicles, but they will have a presence at the Casino Beach location only after Oct. 14.
Since March 1, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have performed 135 rescues from drowning and 196 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attending to 39 major medical incidents and assisting 31 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 114,000 times during the 2018 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips. An additional 8,000 people were reached through water safety presentations.
Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution when visiting the beach and swimming in the Gulf, especially when lifeguards are not present.
Pensacola Beach condition flag warnings:
- Green Flag - Means “low hazard,” but you should still exercise caution.
- Yellow flag - Indicates “moderate surf and conditions” such as rip currents. Swimmers should exercise careful caution when entering the water.
- Red flag - “Strong currents and high surf," no swimming or wading. Entering the Gulf of Mexico to swim or wade during red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County.
- Double red flags - Only used during hurricanes and other natural disasters. No swimming, wading or surfing in the Gulf of Mexico. Entering the Gulf of Mexico during double red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County.
- Purple flag - Indicates “dangerous marine wildlife” may be present. Please use caution when entering the water.
For more information about Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, visit the
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards page on MyEscambia.com or the
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook.