The Lifeguard Project

In this episode of The Lifeguard Podcast, we sit down with Doug Armstrong, a captain with the National Park Service Ocean Lifeguards at Ocean Beach, San Francisco — one of the only National Park Service lifeguard operations on the California coast. Doug walks through his path from teenage East Coast beach lifeguard to nearly 20 years guarding one of the most dynamic and unpredictable stretches of water in the country, right beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. He breaks down what makes Ocean Beach so uniquely demanding: shifting tidal currents, dense fog, and a small seven-person crew that has to stay mobile, fit, and tightly bonded to handle it all. The conversation also covers Doug's unexpected second career as an attorney, how he balances two very different professional identities, and his work bringing water safety expertise to wave pool facilities like the Surf Ranch. It's a rare look inside a lifeguard operation most people — even within the industry — have never heard of.00:00 – Intro: Meet Doug Armstrong02:00 – How Doug got his start lifeguarding on the East Coast05:00 – First year on the job and his first rescue09:00 – The move to California and the National Park Service11:00 – What makes NPS lifeguarding at Ocean Beach unique13:00 – Life on patrol: no towers, no facility, just trucks15:00 – Tidal currents and Ocean Beach's toughest conditions17:00 – Running a 7-person crew and team culture19:00 – Leadership: filtering and building the right team28:00 – Training standards and going through wetsuits30:00 – Working with the Coast Guard, fire dept, and biologists33:00 – Operating under the Golden Gate Bridge36:00 – Pay, cost of living, and working for a federal agency40:00 – Doug's side gig as a practicing attorney44:00 – How law and lifeguarding sharpen each other50:00 – Growing the program with full-time positions52:00 – The Stinson Beach side of the operation54:00 – Keeping his lifeguard and attorney identities separate57:00 – Getting into wave pool water safety (Surf Ranch)1:01:00 – The rise of wave parks and new water safety needs1:02:00 – Doug's advice for aspiring lifeguards1:05:00 – Closing thoughts on Ocean Beach's operationWatch On YouTube Here:https://youtu.be/mSqV-vSgQdoPresented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/Subscribe to the Podcast Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54thttps://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/https://thelifeguardproject.org/Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:https://www.instagram.com/drasko_projectsOcean Lifeguard, National Park Service Lifeguards, Ocean Beach San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Rip Current Safety, Water Rescue, Lifeguard Culture, Coastal Lifeguarding, Surf Zone Safety, Wave Pool Water Safety

Welcome to a unique episode of The Lifeguard Project Podcast. Today, you're going to get to hear from the panel of experts who spoke at the Responder Roundup, which happened May 6th and 7th, 2026, in San Luis Obispo, California. The Responder Roundup brought in 250 first responders from over 40 different agencies to train in high-fidelity drowning training over the course of two days. This specific panel discussion focuses on the local impacts of drowning, how agencies might approach establishing drowning protocols, and general concepts overall. Hope you enjoy this very unique episode, and look out for future trainings and links for when another one of these roundups might be happening.00:00 Intro00:48 Panelist introductions02:43 Origin of San Luis Obispo County's drowning protocol03:27 Sandra's story: the pool rescue09:14 Why lifeguards matter in the first five minutes10:05 The value of "up-training" for non-EMS responders12:14 Implementing the protocol: navigating red tape14:18 Advocacy in smaller vs. larger counties15:34 Serving up solutions "on a platter"17:33 Changing the language: drowning vs. near-drowning19:04 Getting dispatch on the same page19:53 New Zealand's approach to bystander CPR training21:54 Why high-fidelity mannequins matter25:22 The training gap for pool and beach lifeguards25:46 Stress inoculation and realistic training28:31 Falling back on your training under pressure29:28 Communicating with your team before the emergency30:15 A real Saturday call: multi-agency response31:38 You may be the most trained person on scene32:34 Handling pushback from other responders39:16 Advocacy through networking and community43:06 Closing thoughts from the panel46:38 Closing remarks and gratitudeWatch On YouTube Here:https://youtu.be/pWqVHFU4YwkPresented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/Subscribe to the Podcast Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54thttps://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/https://thelifeguardproject.org/Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:https://www.instagram.com/drasko_projectsWater Safety, Drowning Prevention, Responder Roundup, EMS Training, First Responders, Lifeguard Training, CPR Training, Drowning Resuscitation, Public Safety, Emergency Medicine

Welcome to another episode of the Lifeguard Project Podcast. Today's guest is Courtney Conlogue, one of American surfing's fiercest and most accomplished competitors. Courtney is a Santa Ana native who fell in love with surfing at age four, and went on to become one of the youngest athletes ever selected to the USA Junior Surf Team. She spent 13 years on the WSL tour, and built a career defined by power, grit, and resilience. Today, we dive into her illustrious surfing career, as well as her recent entry into the Huntington Beach Fire Marine Safety Division, or Huntington City Lifeguards. We talk all things about the ocean, surfing, family, resilience, and how she's made it this far, as well as a fresh perspective of an experienced surfer in the lifeguard world.00:00 Intro01:42 Courtney's ocean roots and family upbringing06:36 The "inland kid" stereotype and earning her stripes11:31 Reading conditions like a lifeguard vs. a surfer17:31 Courtney's color-coded rip current system23:53 Deciding to try out for Huntington City Lifeguards26:31 Swim training and the pool tryout29:39 The ocean tryout and academy experience32:21 Staying calm under pressure: lessons from competing40:03 A real rescue: getting three panicked swimmers to shore44:31 Rookie year nerves and learning tower body language52:04 Instinct, ego, and knowing when to ask for help53:35 A close call at Sunset Beach1:01:11 Pressure and proving herself as a pro surfer turned rookie guard1:09:43 The ESPN Body Issue and redefining lifeguard imagery1:19:06 Art, painting, and the Sea Tiger brand1:26:23 Surf therapy and coaching athletes on the spectrum1:34:37 Full circle: what lifeguarding gives back1:35:42 The Tahiti story — a medical emergency with her mom mid-final1:50:00 Closing thoughts and gratitudeFollow Courtney Here:https://www.instagram.com/courtneyconlogue/?hl=enWatch On YouTube Here:https://youtu.be/ncDmU5hQyCgPresented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/Subscribe to the Podcast Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54thttps://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/https://thelifeguardproject.org/Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:https://www.bogdogphoto.com/https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/Water Safety, Lifeguard Training, Courtney Conlogue, Professional Surfing, Ocean Rescue, Huntington Beach Lifeguards, Rip Current Awareness, Big Wave Surfing, Drowning Prevention, WSL Tour

WANT TO SEE JUSTIN SEMPSROTT LIVE? Sign up for The Lifeguard Project’s first training event, The RESPONDER ROUND-UP:https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundupThis week we are back with Part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Justin Sempsrott, an emergency medical physician and drowning specialist who spent the last two decades advancing drowning resuscitation. In 2006, he co-founded Lifeguards Without Borders after seeing the massive and preventable global burden of drowning, especially in low and middle income countries. In the last five years alone, Justin has lectured on drowning resuscitation to over 10,000 pre-hospital providers, including Air Force Paratroopers, Navy Seals and other special forces medics has also helped spearhead numerous studies, which have become the latest science for Industrywide as well as statewide drowning protocols.00:00 Welcome to Part 201:10 Drowning Rhythm Basics03:48 AED Timing Decisions06:03 Responder Roundup Promo07:44 Vigilance And Scene Context11:54 Profiling Risky Swimmers14:00 Pools Versus Beaches15:38 Global Drowning Burden18:06 Medical Oversight Innovation23:19 Implementing New Science26:56 Rescuer Mental Health28:50 Nonfatal Drowning Aftermath30:13 Families And Prevention Advocacy36:36 Equity And Generational Barriers41:12 Multisector Solutions45:28 What Works In Practice50:13 Community Prevention Tactics54:23 Valuing Lifeguards In Systems56:06 Driving Change Upstream57:49 Data Beats Tradition01:00:44 Rethinking C Spine Care01:03:24 Textbooks Journals Conferences01:04:13 Compassion Through Repetition01:07:33 Mentorship Fuels Momentum01:13:37 Join the Drowning Network01:17:28 Cross Discipline Safety Lessons01:21:31 Breath Hold Training In Light01:27:02 When Healthy Swimmers Drown01:29:22 High Fidelity Beach Scenarios01:34:16 Continuum Care and Dispatch01:40:56 Embrace Change and Creditless01:42:21 Final Thanks and WrapThanks for listening!Check out these links for more!Drowning Presentation2024 AHA Drowning GuidelinesPresented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/Subscribe to the Podcast Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54thttps://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/https://thelifeguardproject.org/Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:https://www.bogdogphoto.com/https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/drowning resuscitation, drowning prevention, drowning science, drowning definition update, near drowning definition change, lifeguard CPR rescue breathing, oxygen first drowning protocol, BVM ventilation in drowning, foam and vomiting in drowning, jaw thrust airway management, compression-only CPR vs drowning CPR, pediatric drowning prevention, Lifeguards Without Borders, global drowning statistics, water safety education, EMS drowning protocols

WANT TO SEE JUSTIN SEMPSROTT LIVE? Sign up for The Lifeguard Project’s first training event, The RESPONDER ROUND-UP:https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundupThese episodes are a must listen for anyone curious about all things drowning. From professionals to public.Dr. Justin Sempsrott is an emergency medicine physician and drowning specialist who’s spent the last two decades advancing drowning resuscitation. We split this episode into a two part recording in order to discuss in detail everything from physiology to advancements in care, global policy, studies, science, and every aspect of drowning management from prevention, to water rescue, conscious victims, and all the way to the hospital. Justin's extensive experience is a valuable asset to the lifeguard project podcast as it makes our community in tune with the latest updates in the world of water rescue and drowning prevention.Justin started as a beach lifeguard in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 1996. In 2006, he co-founded Lifeguards Without Borders after seeing the massive and preventable global burden of drowning, especially in low- and middle-income countries.He’s provided consultation, training, and medical education across the world working with lifeguards, nurses, physicians, and responders in places like Peru, Portugal, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Canada, and beyond.In the last five years alone, Justin has lectured on drowning resuscitation to more than 10,000 prehospital providers including U.S. Air Force PJ’s, Navy SEALs, and other special operations medics. He has also helped spearhead numerous studies which have become the latest science for industry wide as well as statewide drowning protocols, most recently in San Luis Obispo County and in conjunction with the Lifeguard Project.He also brings experience from wilderness medicine and mass gathering medicine, serving as Associate Medical Director for the Burning Man Medical Operations and continues to work in several emergency departments.00:00 Meet Dr Justin Sempsrott01:34 Early Life Overseas03:29 Childhood Drowning Scare06:53 Lifeguarding Beginnings08:45 From Beach to Med School11:49 First Major Rescue13:47 Finding the Drowning Community17:27 Global Drowning Reality Check19:53 Bangladesh Data and Daycares23:07 Defining Drowning Properly27:58 Prevention and Behavior Change32:52 Resuscitation Priorities for Drowning40:40 Oxygen First on Scene51:00 Cross Training First Responders52:25 Preplanning With Lifeguards52:51 Don’t Break What Works54:19 Micro Delays Matter55:05 Salt Vs Fresh Water56:18 Antibiotics And Myths57:33 Cold Water Realities01:00:14 Rescue To Recovery Calls01:04:38 Laryngospasm Explained01:10:40 Foam Cough And Triage01:16:25 Delayed Drowning Debunked01:18:14 Airway Tools Priorities01:25:29 Ventilator Strategy Basics01:27:20 Updating Drowning Protocols01:37:30 Final ThoughtsThanks for listening!Check out these links for more!Drowning Presentation2024 AHA Drowning GuidelinesPresented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/Subscribe to the Podcast Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54thttps://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/https://thelifeguardproject.org/Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:https://www.bogdogphoto.com/https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/drowning resuscitation, drowning prevention, drowning science, drowning definition update, near drowning definition change, lifeguard CPR rescue breathing, oxygen first drowning protocol, BVM ventilation in drowning, foam and vomiting in drowning, jaw thrust airway management, compression-only CPR vs drowning CPR, pediatric drowning prevention, Lifeguards Without Borders, global drowning statistics, water safety education, EMS drowning protocols