Welcome to this episode of The Lifeguard Project Podcast, where today I interview Mike Martino. Mike is a California State Parks lifeguard who started as a seasonal and throughout his career, worked his way up all the way to the aquatic specialist or chief lifeguard of California State Parks. Not only is he a lifeguard for life, but he also has become quite a lifeguard historian and represent some of the early lifeguard pioneers who made their way up in the Sonoma coastline in the north of California.

The Sonoma coastline is what we focus on today and talk about some of those early challenges faced by the guards who worked up there. Mike shares with us some pretty impactful stories, both personal and professional, and we walk through what it really means to be a lifeguard. Thanks as always for listening.

00:00 Welcome to The Lifeguard Project Podcast

01:25 Mike Martino's Path to Lifeguarding

04:04 First Impressions of the Sonoma Coastline

06:05 Challenges and Responsibilities of Lifeguarding the Sonoma Coast

09:56 Community Perception and Lifeguard Interactions

15:23 The Reality of Lifeguard Work and Prevention

25:40 Abalone Diving and Lifeguard Experiences

31:00 Critical Rescues and Lifeguard Reflections

42:26 The Unseen Skills of Lifeguards

43:11 The Edge of Life and Death

45:27 Northern vs. Southern California Lifeguarding

48:06 The Challenges of Lifeguarding in Remote Areas

49:27 The Importance of Physical Activity in Managing Trauma

50:20 The Evolution of Lifeguard Support Programs

56:10 The Impact of Junior Lifeguard Programs

01:00:56 The Value of Lifeguard Services

01:06:37 The Lifeguard Community and Legacy

01:21:13 Final Thoughts

Links to Mike's Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Lifeguards-Diego-County-Images-America/dp/073855586X/ref=sr_1_4

https://www.amazon.com/Help-San-Diego-Lifeguards-Rescue/dp/1941384390/ref=sr_1_3

Presented by The Ben Carlson Foundation:

https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/

https://www.instagram.com/bencarlson_foundation/

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Host, Drasko Bogdanovic:

https://www.bogdogphoto.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bogdogphoto/

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