Deep Dive Into Water Safety

Episode Notes Margaret invites North Shore lifeguard Chris Pico in studio to share about the importance of water safety from the lifeguard’s perspective and to share about the free app Pulse Point. What’s charming is that Chris’ daughter, Harper, was in studio as well, watching her show and petting the dog and you can hear it a bit. Chris said, before we started the show, that he sought out Pulse Point on Kauaʻi for her. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

Episode Notes Drasko Bogdanovic Reframing Water Safety Drasko Bogdanovic is a California State Parks ocean lifeguard, flight paramedic, educator, and the founder of The Lifeguard Project, a national storytelling and advocacy platform focused on reframing how lifeguarding and drowning prevention are understood. His work aligns closely with Hawaiʻi, widely recognized as the epicenter of water safety, where the ocean demands exceptional expertise, vigilance, and cultural awareness. Drawing from frontline experience, Drasko approaches drowning prevention not as a series of isolated accidents, but as a predictable and preventable public health issue. Through The Lifeguard Project, he emphasizes that prevention happens long before a rescue, elevating the role of lifeguards as professional risk managers and educators, a perspective long held in Hawaiʻi. In the interview, Drasko stressed the urgent need to modernize water safety messaging. Traditional signs and warnings alone are no longer effective, particularly in visitor-heavy destinations like Hawaiʻi. He advocates for human-centered, digital storytelling that uses authentic lifeguard voices to cut through modern noise and connect emotionally with the public. The conversation also highlighted the importance of global collaboration, linking Hawaiʻi with water safety leaders in California, Australia, the UK, and beyond. The guiding philosophy of The Lifeguard Project, “By Lifeguards, For Life,” reflects a belief that the most effective drowning prevention strategies are shaped by those closest to the water and strengthened through shared knowledge worldwide. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

Episode Notes January 13, 2026. This show brings the conversation home to Kauaʻi. Iʻm honored to be joined by four professional female lifeguards who protect our islandʻs beaches every day: Sanoe Hookano, Lei Deguchi, Lemon Holliday, and Aarya DeBaldo. Each of these women brings deep local knowledge, strong ocean skills, and constant vigilance to their work on the tower. They read conditions, watch people, and make decisions that prevent emergencies long before a whistle is blown or a rescue is needed. Femal lifeguards like Sanoe, Lei, Lemon and Aarya are an essential part of water safety on Kauaʻi. They are often the first point of connections for families, visitors, keiki, and kūpuna, offering calm guidance, clear warnings, and reassurance in a powerful ocean environment. Weʻll hear directly from the about what they see on our beaches, how they approach prevention, and what they want the public to understand about staying safe in Kauaʻi waters. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

Episode Notes July 18, 2025: Professor Mike Tipton MBE is a Professor of Human & Applied Physiology at the Extreme Environments Laboratory, School of Sport, Health & Exercise Science at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. He was kind enough to speak with us about the physiology of drowning. This is a hard interview to hear, but oh so important as we take on the topic of water safety. Check out this video on the Float to Live project. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

Episode Notes October 5, 2025 Dr. Angel Yanagihara is a leading biochemist and toxinologist internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on venomous marine invertebrates—particularly the box jellyfish (Alatina alata) and bluebottle (Physalia physalis). Based at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, she is an associate researcher at the Pacific Biosciences Research Center and directs the Pacific Cnidaria Research Laboratory. Her research dispels long-held myths about jellyfish stings and establishes evidence-based first aid protocols grounded in cellular and biochemical science. Working in partnership with the U.S. military, Dr. Yanagihara developed Sting No More®, a first-aid product line that neutralizes jellyfish venom and is now used globally in marine safety operations. A global leader in cnidarian envenomation science, Dr. Yanagihara’s research has shaped protocols for beach management, lifeguard response, and swimmer safety worldwide. Her real-life contributions to open-water safety were featured in the 2023 Netflix film Nyad, in which she was represented as part of the scientific and medical support team ensuring Diana Nyad’s successful Cuba-to-Florida crossing. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

Episode Notes Bruce Hopkins, head lifeguard at Bondi Beach in Australia. A media personality as well as award-winning lifeguard, Bruce has appeared in 18 seasons of the Australian TV show “Bondi Rescue”. He talks to us today about effective swimming, but even more importantly, effective floating. He also brings an interesting perspective to experiencing rip currents.