Eugene de Paulis' Story
Lifeguard in Laguna Beach from 1959 to 1972
Profile of the Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department
Upon my employment with the Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department in 1959 we found ourselves under the Laguna Beach Police Department. Vic Stuart was the acting administrator and Chief of Police. In March of 1959 a seasonal Chief Lifeguard position was created and this position was filled by Mr. Art Fisette. He was aided by Captains Rod Reihl and Dean Westgaard. Approximately 26 recurrent lifeguards were used to staff the beaches throughout the year.
The Lifeguard Department operated approximately three miles of beaches, coves and rocky areas. Area coverage included Crescent Bay, Shaws Cove Boat Canyon, Diver's Cove, Picnic Beach, Rockpile, Main Beach, Sleepy Hollow, St. Ann's, Oak Street, Mountain Road, Agate Street, Arch Cove, Woods Cove, Moss Street, and Victoria Beach. Laguna also provided guard service to private beaches: Emerald Bay, Lagunita and Treasure Island. Over the years millions of locals and visitors had visited these beaches from January 1 to December 31 without a single recorded drowning on a guarded public beach.
Upon being hired by the Department in March of 1959 my first season's job was as an assistant to Captain Dean Westgaard, riding shotgun in the emergency jeep rescue vehicle and beach relief guard. The beach lifeguard was paid $1.75 per hour for a 40 hour week. A total of 18 beaches and 1 Main Beach Headquarter station were manned by approximately 26 lifeguards during Easter week and peak summer season, protecting the three miles of Laguna's coastline.
The beach lifeguards were divided into two divisions. One north of Main Beach Headquarters and one south. Each station was manned by a guard equipped with a rescue tube, fins, first aid kit and a telephone which was hooked up to the Main Tower pbx switchboard. Radio communication was maintained with the emergency jeep which was communicated through the Laguna Beach Police dispatcher. The radio was recharged each night and replaced in the jeep the next day. Needless to say, the three miles of city and private beaches were guarded by well trained and courageous lifeguards.
Services rendered to the public included beach rescues, first aid, underwater search and rescue, cliff rescues, assisting disabled boats and aircraft and enforcement of city ordinances pertaining to beach rules and regulations. The Junior Lifeguard, Sea Cub and Mermaid programs were originated by Art Fisette and administered by guards John Cunningham and Dale Ghere. Beach lore, swimming skills, first aid, rescue systems and beach awareness were employed to teach preventative and life saving techniques to boys and girls 8 to 15 years of age in our community.
Incidences
"Lifeguard Saves Drowning Victim" was the headline in the News Post, Laguna's local paper. Lifeguard John Creed had dropped me off at Diver's Cove to give the beach guard Mike Vogel his relief at approximately 5 pm. Diver's Cove is a small rocky enclosed area at the north end of Heisler Park. The area is popular with the locals mostly. Adjacent to the south is Picnic Beach, approximately 200 yards long and ending at Table Rock, a rocky point below the VFW War Memorial.
Shortly after I had called in my relief of guard Vogel, I noticed two individuals standing on the point of Table Rock. The surf was running about 6 to 8 feet and the tide was at its highest point. Out of nowhere came a huge set of waves on the horizon. Instinctively knowing the waves would wash the people off the rock I immediately called in for backup and proceeded running down Picnic Beach to Heisler Point. The huge waves had indeed swept the two victims off the rock into heavy soup and one victim was was floating unconscious within the basin. Proceeding over and through the rocks to the water's edge I then entered the churning surf with my rescue tube trailing behind me. I swam to the floating victim who turned out to be a 13 year old girl. Another set of huge breakers broke over us and she disappeared beneath the frothy surface. Wham!!!! I felt a bone crushing jar as we were slammed into the bottom edge of the cliff. Fortunately the lanyard strap on my rescue tube had held me and the victim in close proximity. The next wave washed us further into the rock laden shoreline where bystanders assisted us into the grotto area of Heisler Park. We were both covered with blood from the numerous cuts and abrasions from being bashed around and into the rocks. Upon coming to grips with the situation, I began giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation. By now lifeguards John Creed and Captain Rod Reihl had arrived at the scene. Continuing mouth to mouth, Reihl began pulmonary resuscitation to the victim. What seemed to be an eternity, the victim finally responded to our efforts and began breathing on her own. Wow, what a rush! Her companion was fortunate in that she was able to somehow scramble up out of the ocean and over the rocks to safety with only minor cuts and abrasions. Reihl and guard Creed placed the victim into a Stokes Basket and she was rushed via ambulance to South Coast Hospital.
She eventually recovered and we were pleased when she and her family came down to the Lifeguard Headquarters and thanked us for saving her life. Fortunately through the outstanding training we all had received and the tremendous job effected by lifeguards Reihl and Creed a beautiful young gal was given a second chance to enjoy Laguna's beaches again.
Another incident which merits mention was the time the Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department became a member of the Long Island State Parkway Police Sergeants Benevolent Association of the State of New York. In June of 1971 Mr. Richard Caldwell and Mr. Frank Champ from the state of New York contacted me while I was at the Lifeguard Headquarters. They were looking for help in training new recruits or substitute guards to protect the the citizens who frequented the Long Island State Beaches. Contacting our National Surf Association (The NSLSA), which was "organized in 1964 by lifeguard agencies along the California coast who saw the need for cooperation in the advancement of lifesaving techniques and public education," the Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department became a member in 1968 when permanent lifeguards were staffed at the headquarters guarding the beaches year round. The training program and training techniques were well received by the Long Island staff. We, as members of this seaside community, can take pride in the men and women of the California Coastal Lifeguard Association and NSLSA.
Another area of interest may well be the statistics on services rendered. This is an important function for the lifeguard budget and planning. In 1970 for instance the June-July-August statistics for the department were: Rescues 914, Medical Aids 3,663, Boat Rescue 29, Lost Children 52, Resuscitations 1, Ambulance Transports 9, Drowning 0, Body Recovery 0, Attendance 1,258,000.
Over the years numerous projects were completed with the help of the merchants and individual members of our community. One such project was the procuring of a Orange County Harbor Department skiff. The Lifeguard Association successfully raised money, materials and obtained donated labor to renovate the old skiff into a beautiful rescue craft. With the monies donated we were able to purchase a 135 h.p. Mercury outboard motor to power the craft.
The rescue boat was placed into service in June of 1970 and was invaluable in its service to the Lifeguard Department, those that it rescued and to the boats assisted in the open ocean.
This rescue boat would not have been possible had it not been for the generous contributions from: Emerald Bay Association, Lagunita Community Association, Mr. Don Houseman - Manager at Security National Bank, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Gaede of Irvine Cove and Mr. Pat McGuinness - News Director for KBIG Radio Catalina and their many listeners who gave generously. What a marvelous comradeship and support our Lifeguard Department has maintained with our beach community. "A Post Toast!" to all involved.
In a Lighter Vein
Local business patrons and friends would visit the Main Beach Lifeguard Headquarters during lunch hour. On one such day I met two dear friends, the Robert Herpics. Bob was a broker for Dean Witter and Co. and his lovely wife worked for the Laguna Federal Savings. This meeting occurred during the Easter Week in 1964. I had seen a gorgeous blonde gal working as a teller at Laguna Federal. Since she came down to Main Beach by the Main Lifeguard Tower, I asked Bee Herpic to introduce me to her. Little did I know she came from a well known and admired family of 17. Her Mom being Billy Lu Quam - Mother of the Year. Cindy was tall with blonde hair and she wore a white, orange polkadot, one piece swimsuit which just drove me bonkers, along with her curvaceous figure to boot…. moving right along ………. late November of '64 we were married. After leaving the Lifeguard Department in 1972 we eventually moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, raising 2 sons and 3 daughters.
I was saddened by the loss of Dean Westgaard, LaVern Dugger, Lifeguards Bill Haines and Peter Young whose untimely deaths remain dear to me to this day.
Respectfully,
Captain Eugene de Paulis
