Presque isle lifeguard Association

2020 has been an unusual year so far, but Presque Isle Lifeguards are back on the beaches and hard at work! As in previous years, the Lifeguard Operations are offering the Medical Lecture Series. Last year, we partnered with Allegheny Health Network for the first time, and we are happy that partnership has been able to continue! 

On July 19, AHN came out the the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to review "Stop the Bleed". Whether this was new or a review, all the lifeguards who attended were able to get hands-on training to help prepare them to deal with severely bleeding injuries they could encounter both on and off the job.

As you can see, the lifeguards worked in small groups and wore personal protective equipment throughout the training. 

In the event of an actual emergency involving contact with another person on the park, Lifeguards will have access to and be required to use more advanced PPE including safety glasses, N95 mask, gloves, and a protective gown.

Even in this unprecedented time, safety for the Lifeguards and park guests is clearly still the top priority of the Presque Isle Lifeguard Operation.

It's that time of year again! The time when the Presque Isle Lifeguards start recruiting new guards for next Summer...

If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard, or know someone who is, call Lifeguard Headquarters at 814-504-3900 to apply. 

We are also offering a Lifeguard Certification Course, taught by Presque Isle Supervisors and Managers. The course takes place from December 7th through the 28th at Iroquois Jr./Sr. High School in Lawrence Park. The cost is only $200 with the opportunity for a $100 rebate for students who successfully complete the course as well as 1 Summer as a Lifeguard at Presque Isle!

If you are interested in this opportunity, call Lifeguard Headquarters or email them at PILGHQ@gmail.com.

Lifeguard representative will be recruiting throughout the Winter, so if you see them, feel free to stop by and ask any questions you may have.

Over the decades, Presque Isle Lifeguard Management has constantly improved and upgraded the training Lifeguards receive on a daily basis. These days, training includes both physical (running, swimming, weightlifting, etc.) and skill (rescues, CPR, first aid, etc.)

At today's Medical Lecture, Allegheny Health Network representatives brought some upgraded CPR Mannequins. They worked with small groups of lifeguards to review technique. Each mannequin had a sensor that was connected to an app. These apps could tell the lifeguards just how effective their compressions were.

This was an awesome result of Presque Isle Lifeguard Association's partnership with AHN. We really appreciate all they have done for the lifeguards this summer!

Representatives from the Allegheny Health Network stopped by to provide additional training to Presque Isle Lifeguards at a recent Medical Lecture. 

The topic was "Stop the Bleed", intended to teach how to help in a bleeding emergency before more advanced medical personnel arrive.

The Medical Lecture Series has been in place for many years, offering lectures and hands-on experiences to the Presque Isle Lifeguards to enhance their training. This year, the Presque Isle Lifeguard Association has worked to partner with Allegheny Health Network to provide many of these training opportunities. "Stop the Bleed" is just one of many sessions the lifeguards have to look forward to this summer.

We are excited about this new partnership and the enhanced skills and knowledge it will bring!

Welcome to the Presque Isle Lifeguard Association's Back to the Beach! fundraiser information page. Here we will update with more details about the event, bartenders, and raffle items!

#backtothebeacherie

Event Date: Thursday, May 30

Event Time: 6PM-9PM

Event Location: Oasis Pub & Tiki Bar 3122 W. Lake Rd. Erie, PA 

Bartending Schedule (Subject to Change)

Raffle Baskets

Beechwood Golf Club Outing: Round of Golf for 4 Players and 2 Cart Rentals

Maverick & Co.*: 2 Bottles of Tower 15 Wineries Wine and wine bottle sleeve

Sneaky Pete's: $50 Gift Certificate to Sneaky Pete's, Bamboo Board, and Knife

Dinner & a Movie: Multiple Restaurant Gift Card, Cinemark Gift Card, Assorted Movie Candy

Summer Reading*: 2 Books (with gift receipt), 2 Towels, 2 Tumblers with Lids, Bottle of Sangria Wine

Manager's Choice*: 1 Bottle Each of Bombay Gin, Dewar's, and Tito's and Glassware

*Packages containing alcohol may only be won by individuals over the age of 21.

Many of you may remember the Presque Isle Lifeguard Medical Lecture Series from your days on the beach. On Sunday mornings throughout the summer we learned about topics from drowning to lightning to ticks.

This year, Park Naturalist, Brian Gula, will be presenting on The History of Lifeguarding at Presque Isle. This topic will cover "the history of swimming recreation starting with Waldameer and development of guarded swimming and beach management at the peninsula".

The public is invited to join us for this discussion. It will take place on Sunday, June 16 at 10AM at the Stull Interpretive Center. Additional topics will be offered throughout the 2019 season.

June 9: Ticks/ Poison Ivy

June 16: The History of Lifeguarding a Presque Isle

June 23: Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)

June 30: Mammals of Presque Isle

July 21: Jet 24 Weather (Tom Divecchio)

Please note all dates are subject to change and can be found in our Events. If you are interested in any of these, please consider becoming a member of PILA. We would very much appreciate your support.

Most of us enjoy Presque Isle State Park in the warm summer months when swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc. are most popular. However, in the winter months, the park has much to offer as well. Skiing, hunting, and ice fishing are all great activities that can get us outdoors on chilly days.

Safety on the park and in the water surrounding it is always a primary concern for the Presque Isle Lifeguard Association. Even though the lifeguards are not on duty in the winter, there are some very important safety tips and regulations to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience on and around the park during our cold Erie winters!

According to the PA Fish and Boat Commission, as of 2012 Coast Guard approved PFDs (Personal Flotation Device) are now required to be worn from November 1^stthrough April 30^th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.  This is due to “cold water shock” which is a major factor in boating fatalities when water temperature is less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water shock can cause an involuntary gasp that can result in aspirating water and reducing even the best swimmer’s ability to regulate breathing and swim. In these cases, life jackets and assuming the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (legs tucked to chest, arms wrapped around knees) can greatly increase chances of rescue and survival.

Here are a few common-sense tips for cold water safety. Check out the links below for more comprehensive information about cold water regulations, safety, and survival.

• Never go out on the ice alone.
• Let others know when and where you will be when recreating on ice
• Know how thick the ice is, test with augers
• Minimum thickness recommendations per DCNR
• • 4” of solid ice for a single person
  • 7” of solid ice for a small group
  • 6” of solid ice for iceboating
• Wear a PDF
• Bring a fully charged cell phone in case of emergency
• Wear clothing that still insulates even after getting wet
• Do not remove clothing when in cold water

PA Fish and Boat Commission

DCNR Ice Fishing Information

Cold Water Boot Camp

Presque Isle State Park Lifeguards are the most elite and professional lifeguarding force in the state of Pennsylvania. First year guards start at $13.04/hour and receive annual raises when returning year after year!

If you are interested in applying,

1. visit http://www.employment.pa.gov 
2. Click on Open Jobs
3. Search Lake Erie Lifeguard
4. Create an account and sign in
5. APPLY (save after each step)

Interested applicants must have Lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid Certification, interview with the Lifeguard Managers, then pass a physical assessment:

• 40 yard run in under 6.50
• 500 yard freestyle under 8:59.99
• 50 yard freestyle under 29.99
• Brick Retrieval under 13.99
• 2 minute tread with 10 lb. brick
• 3 rescues (active, passive, spinal)
• Successfully demonstrate CPR and FBAO

If you need Lifeguard Certification, the Presque Isle Lifeguard Association is offering a course December 15-30, 2018 (dates subject to change).

The course is $200, with a $100 reimbursement upon completion of course and summer at Presque Isle State Park. Contact Lifeguard Headquarters (814-833-0526 or PILGHQ@gmail.com) with questions or to register.

The Presque Isle Lifeguard Association is pleased to have been able to provide scholarship opportunities for Active Presque Isle Lifeguards since 2010. In order to qualify for the 2018 scholarship, Lifeguards were required to:

• Volunteer for special events throughout the Summer Season
• Maintain a record free of disciplinary issues
• Arrive on time for all scheduled work hours and events
• Be enrolled in an accredited trade school/ college/ or university, or must be currently paying towards higher education debt.  

Joe Mozdy and I worked under the supervision of Frank Pettinato as did most of us.  During that time Joe Mozdy (jr) was a lifeguard at Presque Isle's Beach 10, later named Budny Beach after Pat Budny who was the first to swim across Lake Erie.

When Joe Mozdy completed his career as a guard as Captain of beach 10 he passed on his whistle to me, so I passed my whistle on to my cousin who is a teacher.  She used my whistle for 35 years and this is what an acme Thunderer looks like after 40 years.  If you zoom in you can see that it an authentic Acme Thunderer.

Joe Mozdy passed away in Florida in the early 80's and when he passed I threw the whistle and the leather lanyard that Joe loved in to the lake at Beach 10 - where the whistle belonged.

Since 1870 The J Hudson & Company, maker of the Acme Thunderer (https://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/), has been making whistles.  Their web site is fun so if you have the time please take a look. 

I refereed water polo for 34 years and during that time the sport, like most, moved to the plastic Fox 40 whistle.  The softer plastic is easier on your teeth, but the sounds are really bad for your hearing.  I now have some really awesome hearing aids that likely would not have been necessary were it not for 34 years with a Fox 40, but it is a very small price to pay for the fun that I had both as a guard with the Acme Thunderer and as a referee with the Fox 40.

Russ Thompson '78-'81

Presque Isle State Park Lifeguard