Interview 1 International Water Safety Day with Todd Thomson

Human nature is to do things that we're not supposed to do....  Todd Thomson

We’re not going to go over there where the lifeguard is, let's go over here to the beach where there is no lifeguard—are the words of many people who come to the beach. 

But, is it a smart thing to do--to avoid lifeguards at the beach?

Today’s guest Todd Thomson answers: it’s one of easiest ways to put your family and yourself to risk, unless you're really good swimmers.

Todd adds: a fireman usually doesn’t prevent things from happening -- they get called when stuff happens. But a lifeguard is different. He gets the opportunity to watch things happening and they try to prevent things right before they happen. 

Todd Thomson has been a firefighter with Glynn County Fire Rescue in his 19-year career. He was a volunteer fireman for five years. For about 6 years, he had been lifeguarding beaches and pools. He owns Cross Fit Grit which is a physical fitness gym. He'd been with water rescue for about 10 years, just to cover all the beaches and the waters of the Golden Isles and St. Simons.

One question that gets asked often by people is: why do we have our swimming lessons in the pool and not out in the ocean where we need it?

Well, the answer is: Pools are more of a safer and controlled environment, while the ocean is living—not a good environment especially for the beginners. 

In this episode, Todd talked about: How he got into the water rescue side of his job, why the Golden Isles beach is not actually a safe outlet for everybody-- the best thing to do when someone is caught in one of those tides, do all of our beaches here have lifeguards? What happens more during lifeguarding hours: drownings or rescues? About Golden Isles beach for someone visiting out of town, should people at the beach go to places where lifeguard are or avoid the lifeguards?

I’m still sharing with you guys what's near and dear to my heart – the tips that are going to keep you guys safe around the water. This is what I constantly think about and that is to have: no drownings.