Rehoboth Beach Patrol stats up in wheelchair and medical needs

Weeks into the second year of Rehoboth’s ban on canopies and tents on the beach, it appears visitors have heard the message. Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Kent Buckson said June 15 the number of problem tents has dropped significantly.

According to beach patrol statistics, in 2017, there were 1,180 tent or canopy takedowns from May 27 to Sept. 24. This time last year, Buckson said, the lifeguards had to ask about 135 people to take their tents down. That number has dropped to 65, he said. “Last year my guards took a lot of verbal abuse, but it looks better, and there’s more space on the beach,” Buckson said. “It’s only going to get easier as people learn the rules.”

The beach patrol’s annual analysis of the prior year’s statistics was provided as part of the packet for the June 11 meeting of the Boardwalk and beach committee. A review of the statistics reveals people with mobility issues are enjoying the beach more than ever. In 2017, there were 514 wheelchair sign outs, up from 429 in 2016 and 418 in 2015.

Buckson said a couple of years ago, the beach patrol took over responsibility for managing the wheelchairs designed for sand. He said he now has two staff members who monitor the large white sheds at either end of the wide portion of the Boardwalk. “It’s been a learning process, but these numbers don’t lie,” he said.

Also on the rise is the number of times medical intervention is needed. In 2017, beach patrol lifeguards responded to 561 medical events. Dating back to 2012, the next highest was 447 medical events in 2012. Buckson attributed the spike in medical events to last year’s good weather, which brought lots of people to Rehoboth. From the beach to the end of the first block, the beach patrol responds with personnel to restaurants, hotels and other businesses, Buckson said. He said bicycle accidents were another reason for the spike, noting the number of people coming into town on the new bike trail.

Add the number of rescues and assists made the lifeguards last year, 494, to the medical needs, and it appears the group is needed now more than ever. That said, the number of spinal incidents saw a 6-year-low in 2017, with 5. Buckson said he didn’t have clearcut reason for the drop in spinal injuries. He said there is sometimes be a dramatic slope of the beach after replenishment, but tight now, the slope is more gradual and the impact zone is less dangerous than other years.

A full copy of the report can be found at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net, under the Boardwalk and beach committee agenda for June 11.