What are the lifeguard policies in Myrtle Beach-area communities? Here is how it works.

In the wake of a multi-million judgment against a Myrtle Beach lifeguard provider found liable for the 2018 drowning death of a vacationer, questions have arisen about ocean safety policies in place across Grand Strand communities.

Here’s all you need to know about how lifeguarding works on Horry County’s public beaches, which differ from place to place across the region.

Horry County has lifeguards from May through September

The county manages roughly 14 miles of public beach, including areas south of North Myrtle Beach to the Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach, south of the Springfield Pier to Surfside Beach town limits and south of Surfside Beach limits through Garden City to the Georgetown County line.

Lifeguards must be stationed in those areas from May 15 through Sept. 15.

Diving or jumping from piers is prohibited, as is consumption or possession of alcohol on the beach and their access points.

The Horry County Police Department manages beach patrol with a 14-person crew trained in ocean lifeguarding, CPR, first aid, and personal watercraft operation.

In 2022, beach patrol plans to hold at least four training sessions for lifeguards and vendors and 32 training sessions specifically for lifeguards, according to its budget.

Myrtle Beach uses private contractors for its lifeguarding services

The city contracts with two companies — John’s Beach Service and Lack’s Beach Service — for lifeguard coverage in exchange for giving them sole rights to rent chairs and umbrellas at a profit in “dual role” system experts say is unique to the city of more than 33,000.

Under terms of their deals — which are valid respectively through 2024 and 2025 — lifeguards must be posted in designated zones between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day from April 15 through Sept. 30, with a full complement of staffed stations from June 2 through the second week of August.

The franchisees are required to provide their lifeguards with first aid kits, rescue buoys and two-way radios with police frequency. All lifeguards must be at least 17 years old and be able to swim 500 meters in 12 minutes. They also must be certified in CPR and first aid and complete at least 40 hours of open water life-saving, under U.S. Lifeguard Association standards.

North Myrtle Beach is USLA certified

North Myrtle Beach took over municipal beach services in 2006, severing ties with independent contractors that previously managed ocean safety and is the only Grand Strand community to be certified through the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

North Myrtle Beach hires roughly 100 lifeguards annually to cover 50 towers and nine miles of beachfront. All are at least 16 years old, can swim 500 meters in 10 minutes or less and have completed 70 hours’ worth of training in CPR and first aid.

The city also hosts a junior lifeguard program for children between nine and 15.

No deep ocean swimming is allowed in Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach operates 11 lifeguard stands staffed throughout the town. Officials have set tight regulations when it comes to ocean swimming, including a prohibition on going more than 50 yards from the shoreline or wading into water greater that goes beyond a person’s chest.

Umbrellas, chairs and other obstructions must be placed at least 10 feet behind lifeguard stations and surfing is barred within 300 feet of the town’s pier.

This story was originally published August 3, 2022 at 12:08 PM.