Sarasota County Fire Department Lifeguards have some of the safest beaches in the state of Florida. The Lifeguard staff training includes passing biannual qualification testing and becoming First Responder or Emergency Medical Technical. Skilled professionals are now responsible for public safety at six beaches spread over a 37-mile area of the Gulf Coast. From north to south these beaches are:

• Lido.
• Siesta.
• Nokomis.
• North Jetty.
• Venice.
• Manasota.

Lifeguards staff the towers year-round from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily, and provide supplemental emergency response during peak tourism season and holiday weekends.

Lifeguards on Sarasota County beaches are prepared to respond to emergencies with equipment for performing rescues in the water as well as emergency medical response. Lifeguards utilize emergency medical equipment, including AEDs at each beach. 

Beach Flags

Check lifeguard stands when arriving at any of the lifeguarded beaches. The stands will have information to help visitors stay informed. Beach flags and signage will indicate current beach conditions and potential hazards. This information can also be found online at visitbeaches.org. This website is updated twice daily by lifeguards and Mote Marine staff. 

If you have questions about beach conditions, speak with one of our lifeguards. 

Beach flags provide information on swimming conditions:

• green - low hazard swimming conditions.
• yellow - medium hazard, use caution.
• red - dangerous swimming conditions.
• double red - beach is closed to swimming.
• purple -hazardous marine life may be present.

Beach Swimming Safety Tips

• Always swim in lifeguard-protected areas.
• Never swim alone. 
• Swim with your children or designate a water watcher.
• Check the swimming condition flag before entering the water.
• Don't overestimate your swimming ability.
• Never depend on a flotation device for safety.
• Stay off and away from swim buoys.
• Swim only within designated areas, as outlined by exclusionary buoys.
• Keep a safe distance from rock jetties.
• Never dive headfirst when entering water.
• Duck under breaking waves.
• If you are in trouble, call and wave for help.

Pool & Water Safety Tips

Drowning is the leading cause of preventable deaths in children ages 1 - 4 years old.

•  Know where children are at all times and swim with them. Never allow children to be alone near a pool, pond or any water source.
• Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house.
• Learn to swim, and teach children to swim.
• Always have someone responsible as a "designated water watcher" around the water source.
• Never swim alone, or while under the influence of alcohol or medications.
• Learn CPR.

Empty heading

Empty heading

Empty heading

Rip Currents

Rip currents are one of the most dangerous water conditions that can develop along our coastline.

1. Head - rip spreads out and weakens.
2. Neck - actual rip or river of water.
3. Feeders - supply source for the rip.

How to Escape from Rip Currents

Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current or float until the current dissipates then swim diagonally to shore.

If in doubt, stay out!

VIDEO - Rip Current Science

How to become a Sarasota County Fire Department Lifeguard 

Interested in joining our team? Fill out this form. When applications are open, have the following information and certifications ready:

• USLA Open Water Lifesaver certification.
• First Aid certification.
• CPR certification.

There will be a physical skills test as part of the job application which requires successful completion of a half-mile road run in 4 minutes or less, a 500-meter pool swim in 10 minutes or less and an open-water run-rescue in 4 minutes or less.

Lost items on the beach waiting to be claimed

For information about lost items, dial 311 in Sarasota County or call 941-861-5000. 

Empty heading