FROM THE OCEAN CITY BEACH PATROL CHIEF OF OPERATIONS
By ERICH BECKER
OCBP Chief of Operations
OCEAN CITY – As lifeguards, one of the most common things we deal with on the beach is lost children. This happens almost every day throughout the summer, and while it can happen anywhere on the island, it’s most common downtown near the busiest beaches.
The most common age of children we see getting lost is 4 to 5 years old, boys and girls alike. The good news is that, in most cases, they’re found fairly quickly — on average, it takes about 10 minutes from when we get the report to when they’re back with their family. However, that’s still 10 minutes when a child is alone, scared and potentially unsafe, so it’s always better to be prepared.
I know it’s not easy to keep track of your child in the vast crowds of people. That makes it harder to always have an eye on them, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier and safer.
First, choose your spot wisely. If you’re with young children, try to set up near a lifeguard stand so there’s a clear point of reference if you get separated.
Before the day starts, show your child where the lifeguard stand is and point out the street number on the stand. Say hello to the lifeguard. Talk to your child about what to do if they get lost. Teach them to walk calmly up to a lifeguard stand and tell the lifeguard they’re lost. Our lifeguards will treat them like they’re one of their own siblings.
It’s also the adults’ responsibility to be at the water’s edge when their children are swimming or playing in the water. Every one of our stands has “Watch Your Children” stenciled on it for a reason. It’s there to remind the public that we are not babysitters and that it’s essential they are actively watching their young children at all times.
Over the years, I’ve seen tourists set up their spot all the way in the back by the dunes. It’s nice back there, but it makes it very difficult to watch children going back and forth from the water to the spot.
I also notice that many people bring a flag or pole high enough for their children to see over the crowds. That helps them always know where they are and gives them a point of reference. It’s a simple thing that can make a big difference in keeping youngsters safe.
If your child does get lost, don’t panic. Notify a lifeguard immediately. Our guards are trained to handle the situation by gathering a complete description of the child, including their bathing suit, how long they’ve been missing and where they were last seen.
That information is then broadcast over the radio for all lifeguards to hear. For example, it’s not unusual for a radio transmission to say: “We are looking for Emma, a 3-year-old white girl with brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a blue sparkly Princess Elsa one-piece bathing suit.” That allows us to act quickly and search the right areas.
Remember, the sooner we know a child is missing, the faster we can act. While lifeguards are always on the lookout, it’s important to talk to children about staying safe and to stay vigilant as a parent.
Teaching them how to recognize lifeguards and what to do in case of an emergency can significantly reduce the time it takes to reunite with a child.
While it’s not always possible to keep a close eye on children, we can all work together to ensure the beach remains a fun, safe place for everyone. A little preparation goes a long way. Let’s all stay safe and enjoy the beach.