The Lifeguard Project

Drasko Bogdanovic
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Monthly

Presented by the Ben Carlson Foundation: The Lifeguard Project discusses a serious rescue profession which is often misrepresented. It aims to educate and inspire through showcasing innately captivating experiences of lifeguards which invoke a unique awareness of life. You dont have to be a lifegaurd to enjoy these conversations which are aimed at inspiring future generations, improving the perception of lifeguarding, and facilitating perspective for the better. Any conversation is on the table which involves stories of rescues, education, inspiration, drowning prevention, lifeguarding and the broader water community. Host Drasko Bogdanovic has been a beach Lifeguard since 2010 throughout California, Lifeguard Instructor, Paramedic, and teaches EMT and Paramedic courses. The Lifeguard Project Podcast is connected to the broader documentary project where you can see photos and videos of these subjects as never seen before. Find out more: thelifeguardproject.org

  1. 3d ago

    Doug Armstrong: San Francisco’s National Parks Service Lifeguards

    In this episode of The Lifeguard Podcast, we sit down with Doug Armstrong, a captain with the National Park Service Ocean Lifeguards at Ocean Beach, San Francisco — one of the only National Park Service lifeguard operations on the California coast. Doug walks through his path from teenage East Coast beach lifeguard to nearly 20 years guarding one of the most dynamic and unpredictable stretches of water in the country, right beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. He breaks down what makes Ocean Beach so uniquely demanding: shifting tidal currents, dense fog, and a small seven-person crew that has to stay mobile, fit, and tightly bonded to handle it all. The conversation also covers Doug's unexpected second career as an attorney, how he balances two very different professional identities, and his work bringing water safety expertise to wave pool facilities like the Surf Ranch. It's a rare look inside a lifeguard operation most people — even within the industry — have never heard of. 00:00 – Intro: Meet Doug Armstrong 02:00 – How Doug got his start lifeguarding on the East Coast 05:00 – First year on the job and his first rescue 09:00 – The move to California and the National Park Service 11:00 – What makes NPS lifeguarding at Ocean Beach unique 13:00 – Life on patrol: no towers, no facility, just trucks 15:00 – Tidal currents and Ocean Beach's toughest conditions 17:00 – Running a 7-person crew and team culture 19:00 – Leadership: filtering and building the right team 28:00 – Training standards and going through wetsuits 30:00 – Working with the Coast Guard, fire dept, and biologists 33:00 – Operating under the Golden Gate Bridge 36:00 – Pay, cost of living, and working for a federal agency 40:00 – Doug's side gig as a practicing attorney 44:00 – How law and lifeguarding sharpen each other 50:00 – Growing the program with full-time positions 52:00 – The Stinson Beach side of the operation 54:00 – Keeping his lifeguard and attorney identities separate 57:00 – Getting into wave pool water safety (Surf Ranch) 1:01:00 – The rise of wave parks and new water safety needs 1:02:00 – Doug's advice for aspiring lifeguards 1:05:00 – Closing thoughts on Ocean Beach's operation Watch On YouTube Here: https://youtu.be/mSqV-vSgQdo Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.instagram.com/drasko_projects Ocean Lifeguard, National Park Service Lifeguards, Ocean Beach San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Rip Current Safety, Water Rescue, Lifeguard Culture, Coastal Lifeguarding, Surf Zone Safety, Wave Pool Water Safety

  2. Jul 25

    Responder Round-Up 2026 Drowning Expert Panel Discussion

    Welcome to a unique episode of The Lifeguard Project Podcast. Today, you're going to get to hear from the panel of experts who spoke at the Responder Roundup, which happened May 6th and 7th, 2026, in San Luis Obispo, California. The Responder Roundup brought in 250 first responders from over 40 different agencies to train in high-fidelity drowning training over the course of two days. This specific panel discussion focuses on the local impacts of drowning, how agencies might approach establishing drowning protocols, and general concepts overall. Hope you enjoy this very unique episode, and look out for future trainings and links for when another one of these roundups might be happening. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Panelist introductions 02:43 Origin of San Luis Obispo County's drowning protocol 03:27 Sandra's story: the pool rescue 09:14 Why lifeguards matter in the first five minutes 10:05 The value of "up-training" for non-EMS responders 12:14 Implementing the protocol: navigating red tape 14:18 Advocacy in smaller vs. larger counties 15:34 Serving up solutions "on a platter" 17:33 Changing the language: drowning vs. near-drowning 19:04 Getting dispatch on the same page 19:53 New Zealand's approach to bystander CPR training 21:54 Why high-fidelity mannequins matter 25:22 The training gap for pool and beach lifeguards 25:46 Stress inoculation and realistic training 28:31 Falling back on your training under pressure 29:28 Communicating with your team before the emergency 30:15 A real Saturday call: multi-agency response 31:38 You may be the most trained person on scene 32:34 Handling pushback from other responders 39:16 Advocacy through networking and community 43:06 Closing thoughts from the panel 46:38 Closing remarks and gratitude Watch On YouTube Here: https://youtu.be/pWqVHFU4Ywk Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.instagram.com/drasko_projects Water Safety, Drowning Prevention, Responder Roundup, EMS Training, First Responders, Lifeguard Training, CPR Training, Drowning Resuscitation, Public Safety, Emergency Medicine

  3. Jul 23

    Courtney Conlogue: From World Tour to Lifeguard Tower

    Welcome to another episode of the Lifeguard Project Podcast. Today's guest is Courtney Conlogue, one of American surfing's fiercest and most accomplished competitors. Courtney is a Santa Ana native who fell in love with surfing at age four, and went on to become one of the youngest athletes ever selected to the USA Junior Surf Team. She spent 13 years on the WSL tour, and built a career defined by power, grit, and resilience. Today, we dive into her illustrious surfing career, as well as her recent entry into the Huntington Beach Fire Marine Safety Division, or Huntington City Lifeguards. We talk all things about the ocean, surfing, family, resilience, and how she's made it this far, as well as a fresh perspective of an experienced surfer in the lifeguard world. 00:00 Intro 01:42 Courtney's ocean roots and family upbringing 06:36 The "inland kid" stereotype and earning her stripes 11:31 Reading conditions like a lifeguard vs. a surfer 17:31 Courtney's color-coded rip current system 23:53 Deciding to try out for Huntington City Lifeguards 26:31 Swim training and the pool tryout 29:39 The ocean tryout and academy experience 32:21 Staying calm under pressure: lessons from competing 40:03 A real rescue: getting three panicked swimmers to shore 44:31 Rookie year nerves and learning tower body language 52:04 Instinct, ego, and knowing when to ask for help 53:35 A close call at Sunset Beach 1:01:11 Pressure and proving herself as a pro surfer turned rookie guard 1:09:43 The ESPN Body Issue and redefining lifeguard imagery 1:19:06 Art, painting, and the Sea Tiger brand 1:26:23 Surf therapy and coaching athletes on the spectrum 1:34:37 Full circle: what lifeguarding gives back 1:35:42 The Tahiti story — a medical emergency with her mom mid-final 1:50:00 Closing thoughts and gratitude Follow Courtney Here: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyconlogue/?hl=en Watch On YouTube Here: https://youtu.be/ncDmU5hQyCg Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ Water Safety, Lifeguard Training, Courtney Conlogue, Professional Surfing, Ocean Rescue, Huntington Beach Lifeguards, Rip Current Awareness, Big Wave Surfing, Drowning Prevention, WSL Tour

  4. Mar 10

    Dr. Justin Sempsrott: The Drowning Episode, Everything You Thought You Knew, and More (PART 2) | Ep.21 |

    WANT TO SEE JUSTIN SEMPSROTT LIVE? Sign up for The Lifeguard Project’s first training event, The RESPONDER ROUND-UP: https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundup This week we are back with Part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Justin Sempsrott, an emergency medical physician and drowning specialist who spent the last two decades advancing drowning resuscitation. In 2006, he co-founded Lifeguards Without Borders after seeing the massive and preventable global burden of drowning, especially in low and middle income countries. In the last five years alone, Justin has lectured on drowning resuscitation to over 10,000 pre-hospital providers, including Air Force Paratroopers, Navy Seals and other special forces medics has also helped spearhead numerous studies, which have become the latest science for Industrywide as well as statewide drowning protocols. 00:00 Welcome to Part 2 01:10 Drowning Rhythm Basics 03:48 AED Timing Decisions 06:03 Responder Roundup Promo 07:44 Vigilance And Scene Context 11:54 Profiling Risky Swimmers 14:00 Pools Versus Beaches 15:38 Global Drowning Burden 18:06 Medical Oversight Innovation 23:19 Implementing New Science 26:56 Rescuer Mental Health 28:50 Nonfatal Drowning Aftermath 30:13 Families And Prevention Advocacy 36:36 Equity And Generational Barriers 41:12 Multisector Solutions 45:28 What Works In Practice 50:13 Community Prevention Tactics 54:23 Valuing Lifeguards In Systems 56:06 Driving Change Upstream 57:49 Data Beats Tradition 01:00:44 Rethinking C Spine Care 01:03:24 Textbooks Journals Conferences 01:04:13 Compassion Through Repetition 01:07:33 Mentorship Fuels Momentum 01:13:37 Join the Drowning Network 01:17:28 Cross Discipline Safety Lessons 01:21:31 Breath Hold Training In Light 01:27:02 When Healthy Swimmers Drown 01:29:22 High Fidelity Beach Scenarios 01:34:16 Continuum Care and Dispatch 01:40:56 Embrace Change and Creditless 01:42:21 Final Thanks and Wrap Thanks for listening! Check out these links for more! Drowning Presentation 2024 AHA Drowning Guidelines Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ drowning resuscitation, drowning prevention, drowning science, drowning definition update, near drowning definition change, lifeguard CPR rescue breathing, oxygen first drowning protocol, BVM ventilation in drowning, foam and vomiting in drowning, jaw thrust airway management, compression-only CPR vs drowning CPR, pediatric drowning prevention, Lifeguards Without Borders, global drowning statistics, water safety education, EMS drowning protocols

  5. Feb 24

    Dr. Justin Sempsrott: The Drowning Episode, Everything You Thought You Knew, and More (PART 1) | Ep.20 |

    WANT TO SEE JUSTIN SEMPSROTT LIVE? Sign up for The Lifeguard Project’s first training event, The RESPONDER ROUND-UP: https://thelifeguardproject.org/the-responder-roundup These episodes are a must listen for anyone curious about all things drowning. From professionals to public. Dr. Justin Sempsrott is an emergency medicine physician and drowning specialist who’s spent the last two decades advancing drowning resuscitation. We split this episode into a two part recording in order to discuss in detail everything from physiology to advancements in care, global policy, studies, science, and every aspect of drowning management from prevention, to water rescue, conscious victims, and all the way to the hospital. Justin's extensive experience is a valuable asset to the lifeguard project podcast as it makes our community in tune with the latest updates in the world of water rescue and drowning prevention. Justin started as a beach lifeguard in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 1996. In 2006, he co-founded Lifeguards Without Borders after seeing the massive and preventable global burden of drowning, especially in low- and middle-income countries. He’s provided consultation, training, and medical education across the world working with lifeguards, nurses, physicians, and responders in places like Peru, Portugal, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Canada, and beyond. In the last five years alone, Justin has lectured on drowning resuscitation to more than 10,000 prehospital providers including U.S. Air Force PJ’s, Navy SEALs, and other special operations medics. He has also helped spearhead numerous studies which have become the latest science for industry wide as well as statewide drowning protocols, most recently in San Luis Obispo County and in conjunction with the Lifeguard Project. He also brings experience from wilderness medicine and mass gathering medicine, serving as Associate Medical Director for the Burning Man Medical Operations and continues to work in several emergency departments. 00:00 Meet Dr Justin Sempsrott 01:34 Early Life Overseas 03:29 Childhood Drowning Scare 06:53 Lifeguarding Beginnings 08:45 From Beach to Med School 11:49 First Major Rescue 13:47 Finding the Drowning Community 17:27 Global Drowning Reality Check 19:53 Bangladesh Data and Daycares 23:07 Defining Drowning Properly 27:58 Prevention and Behavior Change 32:52 Resuscitation Priorities for Drowning 40:40 Oxygen First on Scene 51:00 Cross Training First Responders 52:25 Preplanning With Lifeguards 52:51 Don’t Break What Works 54:19 Micro Delays Matter 55:05 Salt Vs Fresh Water 56:18 Antibiotics And Myths 57:33 Cold Water Realities 01:00:14 Rescue To Recovery Calls 01:04:38 Laryngospasm Explained 01:10:40 Foam Cough And Triage 01:16:25 Delayed Drowning Debunked 01:18:14 Airway Tools Priorities 01:25:29 Ventilator Strategy Basics 01:27:20 Updating Drowning Protocols 01:37:30 Final Thoughts Thanks for listening! Check out these links for more! Drowning Presentation 2024 AHA Drowning Guidelines Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ drowning resuscitation, drowning prevention, drowning science, drowning definition update, near drowning definition change, lifeguard CPR rescue breathing, oxygen first drowning protocol, BVM ventilation in drowning, foam and vomiting in drowning, jaw thrust airway management, compression-only CPR vs drowning CPR, pediatric drowning prevention, Lifeguards Without Borders, global drowning statistics, water safety education, EMS drowning protocols

  6. 12/23/2025

    Don Lester: Inside the World of Swift Water Rescue | Ep.19 |

    Don Lester is a veteran swift water and technical rescue professional with extensive field experience across firefighting, emergency medical response, and advanced rescue instruction. Over the course of his career, Don logged more than 150 days per season on the water and served as both a Swift Water Rescue instructor and a Rescue 3 International instructor trainer. Known for his thoughtful and disciplined approach, Don emphasizes continuous learning and risk awareness in dynamic water environments. This episode is essential listening for lifeguards, firefighters, river professionals, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of water rescue safety. 00:00 Introduction 00:08 Meet Don Lester: Swiftwater, Technical Rescue Expert 00:53 A Day on the American River 01:10 Don's Early Life and Rafting Beginnings 01:40 Innovations in Rafting and Early Adventures 06:31 Guiding and Professional Development 08:12 Pioneering Whitewater and Rescue Techniques 19:59 Teaching Philosophy and Influences 29:02 Lifeguard Training and Swift Water Rescue 36:00 Throw Bag Rescue Techniques 36:52 Mindset Differences: Lifeguards vs. Firefighters 38:09 Balancing Planning and Action in Rescues 40:21 A Real-Life Rescue Story 46:20 The Importance of Training and Experience 54:40 Creating Effective Rescue Teams 01:13:31 The Evolution of Emergency Medicine 01:14:26 Learning from Real-World Experiences 01:15:42 Challenges and Adaptations in Rescue Training 01:17:46 The Complexities of Tsunami and Flood Rescues 01:23:55 Mental Health in Rescue Work 01:27:15 The Importance of Practice and Preparedness 01:35:49 Old Growth Rescue: A New Initiative 01:38:57 Final Thoughts Read More About Don Here: https://oldgrowthrescue.com/ Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/ #SwiftWaterRescue #LifeguardPodcast #FirstResponderTraining #TheLifeguardProjectPodcast #BenCarlsonFoundation #WaterRescue #RiverRescue #LifeguardLife #FirstResponders #FirefighterTraining #EMTLife #TechnicalRescue #RescueTraining #RiverGuide #FloodRescue #WaterSafety #SearchAndRescue #EmergencyResponse #RescueMindset #OceanSafety

  7. 12/14/2025

    | S.5 | Expression Session: Inspiring Epilogue from "Stories from Sea Level" by Ed Vodrazka

    Lifeguard Legend Ed Vodrazka (Eddie V) recites the inspirational epilogue from his book - Stories from Sea Level. This book is a hand-picked assemblage of truly exceptional ocean-related events which occurred within the 50-year span between 1969 and 2019. The lifeguards featured in these stories work for various agencies between San Diego and the Sonoma Coast. Of note, the lifeguards themselves provided the author with the details and specifics necessary to accurately immortalize their remarkable and dramatic events. This collection of their accounts are offered by the author as a sincere homage to all lifeguards (past, present, and future) who diligently patrol the California coastline ensuring the safety of the general public. Find it here: https://a.co/d/7tqoWyR

  8. 11/11/2025

    Greg Bonann: Producer of Baywatch | Ep.18 |

    Welcome to a very special episode on the Lifeguard Project podcast. Today, we get to sit down with Greg Bonann, the creator and producer of Baywatch. At its peak, Baywatch became the most-watched television show in the world, airing in over 140 countries and reaching more than a billion viewers each week. Today, Greg shares his journey from his early start as a kid facing challenges to his first rescues as an LA County lifeguard. Moments that shaped his purpose long before Hollywood came calling. And now 30 years later, Baywatch is returning in 2026 with Greg once again leading the charge, bringing in a new vision, while staying true to the show's roots of courage, community, and rescue. 00:00 Introduction to Greg Bonann and Baywatch 01:13 Greg's Early Life and Challenges 04:04 High School Swimming and Lifeguarding Beginnings 09:13 Mentorship and Lifeguard Training 21:18 The Lifeguard Brotherhood and Early Experiences 28:30 The Birth of a Storyteller 31:51 The Rescue That Sparked Baywatch 42:32 A Desperate Rescue 43:04 The Struggle to Save a Life 45:10 A Happy Ending and Reflections 46:18 The Frustration of Storytelling 46:52 Baywatch's Early Challenges 48:18 The Lifeguard's Journey 51:40 Junior Lifeguard Program 59:03 The Road to Red 01:06:27 The Importance of Mentorship 01:10:29 Baywatch's Global Impact 01:23:21 Pam's Underwater Training 01:23:53 Lifeguard Training and Challenges 01:25:06 Baywatch's Impact and Recognition 01:27:22 Authenticity in Lifeguard Representation 01:30:37 Challenges in TV Production 01:33:50 Baywatch's Legacy and Future 01:45:46 Personal Reflections and Future Goals Read More About Greg Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_J._Bonann Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/ Subscribe to the Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lifeguard-project/id1748861682 https://open.spotify.com/show/7EoZTDiET6jJ6XJ1g5X54t https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardproject/ https://thelifeguardproject.org/ Host, Drasko Bogdanovic: https://www.bogdogphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/

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About

Presented by the Ben Carlson Foundation: The Lifeguard Project discusses a serious rescue profession which is often misrepresented. It aims to educate and inspire through showcasing innately captivating experiences of lifeguards which invoke a unique awareness of life. You dont have to be a lifegaurd to enjoy these conversations which are aimed at inspiring future generations, improving the perception of lifeguarding, and facilitating perspective for the better. Any conversation is on the table which involves stories of rescues, education, inspiration, drowning prevention, lifeguarding and the broader water community. Host Drasko Bogdanovic has been a beach Lifeguard since 2010 throughout California, Lifeguard Instructor, Paramedic, and teaches EMT and Paramedic courses. The Lifeguard Project Podcast is connected to the broader documentary project where you can see photos and videos of these subjects as never seen before. Find out more: thelifeguardproject.org

Information

  • Creator
    Drasko Bogdanovic
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Lifeguard Project

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