Volusia Watermen's Association

09/02/2026

08/27/2026

On 08/27/2026 at approximately 10:50 A.M. a tower guard assigned to Tower 418 witnessed a banner plane crash into the ocean south of his tower.

The lifeguard immediately initiated a rescue response and ran approximately 1/2 mile to the crash site, arriving first on scene. Upon the lifeguard’s arrival, the pilot was self extricating from the aircraft. The lifeguard stabilized the pilot until first responder lifeguard EMTs arrived on scene.

The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft. The pilot was transported to a local hospital.

Swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.

Agencies Involved:
VCBS, VSO, NSBFD, USCG

08/22/2026

A couple of highlighted calls our lifeguards responded to before the weekend

08/20/26 - Approximately 2:27 p.m., First Responder Lifeguard EMTs responded to 5 swimmers in distress in an area of the beach with no staffed lifeguard towers. Lifeguards immediately entered the water and successfully rescued multiple individuals, bringing them safely to shore.

3 victims required immediate medical treatment and were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and care. Of those three patients, 1 remains in critical condition.

08/21/26 - First Responder Lifeguard EMTs responded to a patient aboard a sailboat in the ICW who was experiencing chest pain.

Utilizing Live911, our crew was able to hear the caller speaking with the 911 call taker before the call was dispatched through the traditional dispatch system. This early notification allowed our Lifeguard EMTs to begin preparing for the response before the official dispatch was received.

Lifeguard EMTs launched the PWRC (Jet Ski) into the ICW just three minutes after being dispatched. We were able to make contact with the patient aboard the sailboat and safely transport them to a nearby boat ramp, where a VCEMS ambulance was staged and ready to continue care.

These calls are a great example of the important role Volusia County Ocean Rescue plays in our county’s EMS system. Not only can our agency respond to a wide variety of emergencies and provide care when it matters most, but we also help support the EMS system by handling these calls and responsibilities.

Always swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.

08/21/2026

On August 20 at approximately 2:27 p.m., Volusia County Lifeguard EMTs responded to the 1900 block of Daytona Beach after five people were caught in a dangerous rip current.

Quick reaction and training brought all five victims safely back to shore.

Three victims required immediate medical treatment and were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and care.

Of those three patients, one remains in critical condition, while the other two are recovering well.

The ocean can change in an instant. Rip currents are powerful, unpredictable, and can quickly turn a day at the beach into an emergency.

🌊 Always swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.
📱 Download the Volusia Beaches app to find staffed lifeguard locations.

08/12/2026

A statement from the Union President.

08/09/2026

Lifeguards first on scene to a motor vehicle accident.

08/09/2026

WARNING: SENSITIVE TOPICS INCLUDING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

On the morning of Sunday, 8/9, a woman was swimming in the ocean with her family when she became unconscious. Bystanders initially believed she was leisurely floating on her back and did not recognize the severity of the situation.

The lifeguard at the closest staffed tower initiated a water rescue, prompting responding patrol units to assist. The tower guard removed the pulseless and breathless bather from the surf and brought her to shore, where the tower guard and first responder lifeguard EMTs immediately initiated full lifesaving measures.

After approximately 5 rounds of CPR, the patient achieved ROSC and began breathing spontaneously. The patient remained stable throughout the remainder of our care and was subsequently transferred to VCEMS for continued medical treatment.

This is a perfect example of why swimming in front of a staffed lifeguard tower is so important. Because the bather was in front of a staffed tower, a lifeguard was able to recognize the situation, reach her in the water, and begin lifesaving measures immediately. Had that person been in an unguarded area, the response would have been delayed and the outcome could’ve been very different. SWIM NEAR A LIFEGUARD.

08/09/2026

Cool pictures taken from an anaphylaxis call in Daytona Beach a couple evenings ago.