By Lucas Brannan
Staff Writer
After more than 6 years of being a dedicated Junior Lifeguard and a Cadet, senior Jack Heagy is ready to take the next step in this life long process by becoming a Los Angeles County Lifeguard.
Heagy started when he was in elementary school with a love for the beach and the guidance of his instructor, Costa Chemistry and Physics teacher Dan Bartlett. While most teachers take their summers off from teaching, Bartlett heads to the beach to instruct our local Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguard program.
“I started in 1987, so this will be my 29th year as an instructor,” Costa teacher Dan Bartlett said. “It is really amazing to be able to say that I’ve been doing this for half of my life.”
Bartlett has been doing this for a long time and his work pays off when he can see his students take the next step and become the next generation of Lifeguards, just like him.
“He was always one of the faster swimmers and he always knew the how to handle tough situations,” Bartlett said. “I can’t wait to work next to him in the Lifeguard tower this summer.”
During his JG career, Heagy learned the basics about water safety, swimming, body surfing, physical conditioning, first aid, lifesaving, rescue techniques and CPR. Many of these basic techniques were used over the summers Heagy spent at the beach with friends.
“I’ve watched Jack for 5 years now and he was always a very competitive swimmer and just loved the beach environment,” Bartlett said. “I always knew he would take the next step, he always had it in him.”
After being a JG, Heagy’s next step in the process was becoming a Cadet. Heagy was a Cadet in Hermosa Beach where he helped instructors like Bartlett lecture about wounds, how to treat them and taught CPR to the young kids.
“The instructors had so much pride and enthusiasm for the program,” Heagy said. “I saw how much they loved work and that really influenced me to be a good role model to these younger kids.”
In September 2014, Jack began the Lifeguard process with a 1,000 meter ocean swim where he placed in the top 60 out of 250 total swimmers. Later that day, the top 60 swimmers were interviewed and after physical exams and background checks participants had to attend 8 hours of orientation.
“We just completed the last of our 10 training days on Sunday, May 31,” Heagy said. “On that day we had our graduation ceremony and we got our reds (the red boardshorts worn by all Lifeguards). I have completed my journey and am now a Los Angeles County Lifeguard.”
After high school graduation, Jack will be spending the summer Lifeguarding at one of our local beaches. In the fall he will be attending California Polytechnic University – San Luis Obispo but he plans to return to the south bay to continue his lifeguarding career in the summers.
“I first have to work 4 intern days which is when I’m in the same tower as another Lifeguard,” Heagy said. “But after that I can work on my own and I’m hoping that I can be put on a schedule as soon as possible.”
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