Training and prepping with Atlantic Beach Rescue

Plenty of people wake up early on Saturdays to head to the beach during the summer, however, when Atlantic Beach Rescue, an all-volunteer emergency response unit, does so they aren’t looking to just catch some rays.

The organization conducts drills on the beach and in the water starting at 8 a.m., then typically after an hour they return to their headquarters at 1 Rescue Road in Atlantic Beach to ensure they’re prepared for the calls they might receive in the coming week.

Members take inventory of their medical bags and the supplies in the vehicles, and will often give their junior members lessons on how to treat injuries. “We show them first aid, CPR and how to apply a leg splint. Things that they’d use on the beach,” said Medical Captain Victoria Simao.

The junior members spend their summer with the organization. Chief Avi Golan said that most of them come from families that are seasonal residents of the village. “We have around 30 members and six or seven junior members,” he said.

Naomi Meron and her brother, Ben, are two seasonal members. “I was looking for something to do over the summer,” she said. “I saw a flier advertising this and thought it’d be a good way to learn something, help out and spend time outside.”

Simao laid a towel on the ground and had Phoebe Yosen, another junior member, sit down. She then demonstrated how to attach two different leg splints to a victim who broke their leg, as she did so she explained that the process would likely stretch the limb and while looking uncomfortable would actually help alleviate some pain.

For more information on Atlantic Beach Rescue call (516) 371-2348, or go to the organization’s Facebook page, facebook.com/abrescue360.