Surfside Beach plans life vest loaner program to prevent future drownings

SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Surfside Beach Fire Department hopes to prevent future drownings by implementing a new program.

“This year, we had a young child swimming in a pool that drowned. We got him back, but we want to make sure that this doesn’t happen in the future.”

Surfside Beach Fire Department has responded to 24 water or safety emergencies this year involving children. Now, they want to take advantage of a grant that would help prevent drownings in the community.

The grant, in partnership with Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal and McLeod Health, would place a board with personal flotation devices free to loan, under the Surfside Beach fishing pier.

At its start, the program would provide 18 total personal flotation devices in child, teen, and adult sizes.

Fire Chief David Nelson told WMBF the program allows anyone needing a life preserver to be safe while swimming to loan one, even if they’re swimming at a different location.

“We don’t want to see anybody that comes here and has a bad vacation because of a drowning or potential drowning,” Nelson said. “The goal is that everybody who comes here enjoys their time here, and gets to go home safely.”

The only thing the program’s partners ask is that those borrowing a personal flotation device fill out a short survey so administrators can learn more about who the program assists.

The survey also includes information about how to pick the right size and effectively wear the flotation device.

The fire department hopes to install more boards at other beach access points if the program is a success.

Surfside Beach Town Council plans to take its first vote on the proposal at its next meeting.

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