Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Shift to Winter Staffing Levels

Since March 1, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have performed 93 rescues from drowning and 142 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attending to 76 major medical incidents and assisting 47 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 87,754 times during the 2019 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips. Also, lifeguards conducted 68,993 preventative actions that possibly averted accidents or injuries. An additional 9,555 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.  

• Check before you go and follow the posted beach condition flag warnings. Watch our lifeguards explain the flag system on Pensacola Beach. Beach conditions can be checked at PensacolaBeachLifeguards.com and on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook page.
• Know how to escape from a rip current. Watch our rip current video and learn how to break the grip of the rip, which can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

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.