Global Water SafetyUnited States Lifesaving Association

Salvavidas International

Andrew Schmidt, EMT-B, OMS-IID.O./M.P.H. Student

NSU-COM

International Lifesaving Structure

SoutheastSouth AtlanticNorthwestMid-AtlanticNew EnglandGreat LakesGulf CoastSouthwest

Ft. Lauderdale

The rest of the world

International Lifesaving Federation (Belgium)

United States

LifesavingAssociation

United States Lifesaving Assoc.Founded in 1979

Certifies open water lifesaving agencies that adhere to training and equipment standardsThe agencies provide in-house training of lifeguards

Advocates for drowning prevention and public education

Holds regional and national lifesaving competitions

Publications Open Water Lifesaving: The USLA manual American Lifeguard Magazine

United States Lifesaving AssocGathers, analyzes, and reports annual beach

dataDrowning deathsNear drowningsMarine accidentsFirst aid casesLost children

It has been estimated that the chance of dying from drowning in a body of water guarded by lifeguards meeting the USLA standards is 1:18 million

Salvavidas InternationalFounded in 2006

Andrew Schmidt, OMS-II(NSU-COM), Lifeguard/EMTJustin Sempsrott, MS-III(USF-COM), Lifeguard/EMT

Establish a group of young, adventurous medical professionals who all began, and still serve, as ocean lifeguards with a vision: To decrease the number of global drowning deaths by helping to train and organize like-minded individuals within the local population of the areas we visit to form self-sustainable life saving programs.

Current StaffMatt Duffy: Ocean Rescue Lieutenant, Fire

Fighter/EMTJelisse Marrero: RN, Ocean LifeguardBrian Miller: Paramedic, Ocean Lifeguard

Various members of the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps who help with local projects in Northeast Florida

Numerous “on deck” individuals ready to participate once the organization grows

International ProjectsKingston, Jamaica (July 2006)

Guests of the U.S. EmbassyTrained members of the country’s first National

Search and Rescue Team in Urban Search and Rescue and Swiftwater rescue techniques

International ProjectsLima, Peru (July 2007)

Trained local and national lifeguards and police in basic open water lifesaving techniques

Advocated for government support and standardized national lifesaving programs

Lima, Peru (December 2007)Expanded training to include members of the public

and popular surf campHeld lifesaving competition

Arequipa, Peru (Planned December 2008)Plans to train a corps of instructors to ensure

sustainability

International Projects

Local ProjectsThe Beach and Beyond

Carver Community Center in Jacksonville Beach, FL

Teach children basic water safety skills

Educate parents and raise awareness

Basic Philosophy “90% of life is just showing up”

Seek out the need and go address it

Application to U.S. based programsMuch more difficult

Red tape Competition

Requires more careful planning (C.Y.A.)