WATER SPORTS
Baywatch Lifeguard Terms and Slang
Real life lifeguard and fire-fighter Michael Newman is a valuable asset to the show. On-screen you see him has the veteran wise-cracking "Newmy", but he also works behind the scenes co-ordinating rescue scenes and showing actors unfamiliar with water rescues exactly how to run with the can, use a Wave Runner in the surf and dive through surf or from a boat going 30 miles per hour.
Listed below are the rules he lives by and the terms and slang words he uses on a daily basis.
Lifeguard Rules
1.
Watch the water
2.
Always carry a red can or tube
3.
Prevent problems before they occur
4.
Always survey your assigned area
5.
While attempting a rescue, tell other swimmers to leave the water so that they don't attempt the rescue themselves
6.
Body language is crucial to inform another lifeguard of your status or need for help while attempting a rescue
7.
Understand how to "read the water"
8.
The color of water can help to determine depth
9.
When in doubt, go!
10.
In case of emergency, knock the telephone off the hook
Lifeguard Slang
Beat-off:
an untrustworthy lifeguard, often used in jest
Blitz:
multi-victim rescue
Bogus:
phony, weird
Bud:
one of the guys
Buffasorus:
one who is in shape and "looking good"
Buffed:
in shape, "looking good"
Can Flip:
a technique of spinning the can one or two revolutions and catching it (used to impress)
Crew:
the guys/girls that work a certain beach (for example., the Will Rogers Crew)
Cruiser:
a pickup artist, usually male
Didge:
parking free
Dip:
a break on a hot day when a lifeguard walks into the water to cool off
Dirt Bag:
bum
Dumped:
knocked over by a wave
Find The Bottom:
(before you find the air)
Fluff and Buff:
to get ready, shave and shower
Give Me Some Air:
lifeguard frogmen diving in from overhead chopper
Go-out:
a session. Usually a surfing, surfskiing, windsurfing or other form of fun exercise
Inside:
close to shore ("stay inside, will ya, kid!")
L.D:
long distance swimmer. Usually one who does not know what he/she is doing
Mini:
shift less than eight hours
Out of Tower Brass:
lifeguards that have risen to a position away from the beach
Outside:
past the surf line
Patrol:
walk
S & R:
search and recovery
Schedule:
the tower hours and days off that a lifeguard works
Set:
a group of waves
Shine:
forget it
Towelside Manner:
the attitude/rapport that a lifeguard has with the public, especially women
Tumble Dry:
to get caught in the circular force of a big wave after it has broken; a very humiliating experience
Watch the Water:
lifeguarding
Workout:
a physical break from the pressure of watching the water
Technical Terms
Closing Day:
Labor Day
Code 1:
respond
Code 2:
respond quickly
Code 3:
respond, red lights and siren
Code 4:
cancel
County Shower:
an on-duty shower
"Mayday":
used to signal a boat in distress
Opening Day:
Memorial Day
Ten-four:
the message has been received and understood
Title 17:
The Los Angeles County Beach Ordinance (main ordinance)
Rescue Terms
Blitz:
multiple rescues with three or more victims
Buffer Zone:
used for a rescue under a pier. A way to prevent swimmers and surfers from being pushed into the pier by the current
Climbing the Ladder:
swimming straight up, a sign of a poor swimmer
Cross-Chest Method:
used when a victim is unconscious. Only used if there is no neck or back injury
Porpoising technique:
a rescue technique in which the lifeguard springs off of the ocean bottom into a shallow dive, grabs sand and pulls himself forward to his feet
Saddleback Carry:
used when a victim is unconscious
Sky Genie:
a device used for a cliff rescue. It helps the lifeguard to control the speed of his descent
Towing a Victim:
using the can to perform a rescue
Essential Equipment
Rescue can:
the orange plastic floatation device worn around the neck. "This gives the victim something to float on so the lifeguard can use both his arms and legs to swim," explains Mike
Binoculars:
high-powered lenses allowing the lifeguard to survey vast areas
Paddleboard:
a long surfboard is used to get out beyond the surf when the victim is out too far for the life guard to swim to, but close enough so that a boat isn't necessary. About 40 pounds, the paddleboat is 12 feet long
Two-man dory:
an unsinkable row boat weighing 300 pounds and measuring 21 feet long. With two sets of oars, a pair of lifeguards can row their way through the surf
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