Three one-hour episodes of Lifeguard Rescues produced in association with The Discovery Health Channel. It follows the Santa Cruz Beach Lifeguards who respond to nearly 300 medical calls and over 100 water rescues from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Episode One – “Trial By Fire”
We meet Beach Captain Troy Emhoff and his partner, Regan O’Connor, as they respond to a possible drowning. On scene, State Lifeguard Alex Peabody is already in the water searching for the victim. Later Troy, Regan, Alex, and other lifeguards respond to swimmers caught in rip currents, surf rescues, and a sinking sailboat, and also attend to medical calls that occur at the famed Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, just steps away from the main beach.
Episode Two – “In Harm’s Way”
Lifeguards treat a body surfer who is having trouble breathing and another complaining of back pain after going head-first over a breaking wave. With the river adjacent to the beach reaching record bacteria levels, lifeguards still have to respond to rescues when the rising tide creates a dangerous, fast-moving torrent of water. Offshore, State Lifeguard Alex Peabody and his partner search for a 16-foot shark. And later, a woman has an asthma attack but refuses treatment.
Episode Three – “Life’s Lessons”
Lifeguards respond to an endless batter of call…a young surfer fights a losing battle against a strong current; cases of potential hypothermia, a stabbing, jelly fish stings, body surfing accidents and rescues in rip currents. And while two lifeguards try to resuscitate an elderly woman found lifeless on the beach, Lifeguard Supervisor Regan O’Connor faces her own worst fears as she prepares to tackle the water around Death Rocks – a rite of passage for the all-volunteer Marine Rescue Team.