As many know south padre island is a popular destination for tourists,but as more and more people fill the beaches the chances of a drowningalso go up.
We have been involved doing recoveries on drownings out in accessfive. We havent had any drownings in the citythats why SPI, has gotten its very own beach patrol, sad Jim Pigg beach patrol.
Their units are equiped with life boards, vests, and of course first aid kits.
The city of South Padre Island, launched this program last summer,but it was interrupted by hurricane dolly. This year those men and women are patrolling in full force the Islands spokesperson, gary ainsworth, says the beach patrol also helps anyone suffering from heat exhaustion to a jelly fish sting.
Beach patrol program works like a lifeguard program, but they are not lifeguards. Lifeguards are stationary. People go up and down from Isla Blanca, to Andie Bowie Park. Jim Pigg, had to learn to swim for 500 meters and must constantly stayin shape. He is used to challenges working as a firefighter for the city.
Virginia de la Garza, tourist sad I get off work and come out on my days off when summer stops it goesback to normal, but i love being by the beach and by the water. I think its good, especially because there have been a lot of accidents in the past the beach patrols presence gives people a sense of security.
Virgina de la Garza from Alamo, Texas, is glad there is someone out there that can help, especially because she brought her little one along. She comment that kids when they are playing they dont realice that they are moving. By the time you realize it the kid is further down and Virgina wants to make sure she leaves the beach with all her loved ones.
