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Lifeguarding during a pandemic: New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach guards adjust to ‘new normal’

Telegram & Gazette - 7/9/2020

The coronavirus pandemic has not stopped Hampton Beach lifeguards from effectively patrolling the beach, though this summer they'll be wearing masks and keeping their distance.

The team of about 70 lifeguards has made 339 rescues at Hampton Beach so far in a summer that saw one of the busiest Junes Lifeguard Chief Patrick Murphy said he has ever seen. Crowds have come as lifeguards work to practice social distancing by wearing masks, changing their rescue protocol and keeping 6 feet away from beachgoers.

Murphy, now in his second year as chief, said the pandemic has made 2020 a different summer for his team, but the lifeguards are still prepared to help beachgoers caught in rough waters. The summer has seen new rip currents at the main beach and North Beach, he said, making it important for beachgoers to be careful and for his team to be on close watch.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lifeguards across the country. Tom Gill, a spokesman for the U.S. Lifesaving Association through which Hampton lifeguards are certified, said in May that the pandemic would impact everything from recruitment to operations. Murphy said the pandemic has led to more distance between guards and the public, as well as constant cleaning and daily check-ins with staff on potential symptoms.

"COVID-19 throws you a curveball, you've got to change it up," Murphy said. "We're just trying to make it work."

Each morning, the Hampton Beach Lifeguards must answer a checklist of questions related to COVID-19 symptoms when they arrive to work, then have their temperature taken, according to Murphy. They are sent home if they do not pass the list of questions or have a temperature higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, though no lifeguards have failed their morning test so far.

The lifeguards also ramped up their safety precautions inside the Seashell Stage complex where their headquarters and locker rooms are located. Murphy said the facilities are cleaned extensively on a regular basis. Lifeguards enter and exit the building on opposite sides of the facility, and they must wear masks when inside. They also are limited to the number of people who can be in each locker room at a time.

On the sand, lifeguards wear masks when within 6 feet of a beachgoer. The lifeguards started out the season by roping off the lifeguard chairs to ensure people stayed 6 feet away from them, though now Murphy said that is left up to the discretion of the lifeguards. On the back of each chair is a black chalkboard answering frequently asked questions about social distancing.

When making rescues, lifeguards normally have victims trapped in the water grab onto a flotation device, then hold onto the same device together as they swim to shore. This year, Murphy said lifeguards hold onto the rope at the end of the flotation device to ensure 6 feet of separation.

All lifeguards would typically be allowed to provide advance CPR to victims during rescues, using Ambu breathing devices and breathing masks for resuscitation according to Murphy. This year, only administrative guards are permitted to provide advance CPR to victims in rescues. Murphy said no one has needed to administer CPR this year so far, but the 15 administrators are spread out on the beach and use vehicles like ATVs to make themselves quickly available.

Despite large crowds, Murphy said beachgoers have generally managed to socially distance themselves on the sand by staying within their own groups. Blankets are not on top of each other like in years past, he said, also evident by how quickly lifeguard vehicles have been able to drive across the beach.

He said the number of lost children is down from previous years, possibly because of people watching where they wander more closely as groups practice social distancing. There have been 83 children reunited with their groups by lifeguards this year, Murphy said, a number that would normally be closer to 150 or 200 by July.

New Hampshire State Parks, which oversees the lifeguards at Hampton Beach, has struggled this year to fully staff its operations team for tasks like trash pickup, but Murphy said the lifeguards had no problem filling their roster. He said one lifeguard had concerns about how the guards would practice social distancing, and they were fine with working the beach once they saw those precautions.

The pandemic has put uncertainty on whether the lifeguards will hold events like Water Safety Day behind the Seashell Stage or participate in any lifeguard competitions. Water Safety Day, held mid-summer each year, includes public safety agencies like local police and firefighters, as well as local businesses like Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co., who come to teach standup paddleboard safety. Murphy said he is still waiting to learn whether the event will take place but hopes it could be on by August.

"It's just a great interaction, where you're with the public," Murphy said. "To educate, instead of just enforcing rules."

Murphy said social distancing has led to fewer close interactions and casual conversations with beachgoers this year. However, he said that has not prevented guards from spending time with beachgoers altogether, even if it has to be from behind a mask or 6 feet apart.

"I think we're still doing it," Murphy said. "I think we can still enjoy the beach, make connections, help people out and again follow the guidelines that have been given."

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