CDC to investigate series of drownings in Panhandle
By Associated Press
Published June 30, 2003
PENSACOLA - The rash of drownings this month in the Florida Panhandle has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lead an investigation into conditions in seven coastal counties.
Nine people drowned in Walton, Okaloosa and Escambia counties during a two-day span in early June. Nearly 40 others were rescued from rough waters and riptides in the same period.
The proposed study comes only a few days after the Escambia County Commission shelved Commissioner Tom Banjanin's proposal to form a committee to address the 23 drownings that have occurred at unguarded spots along Escambia and Santa Rosa beaches since 2001.
It also follows a study last year by the U.S. Lifesaving Association, which made 35 suggestions for improving safety on Santa Rosa Island, most notably to hire dozens more lifeguards.
Banjanin said he hopes the CDC investigation will spur remedies to a vexing problem that could threaten local tourism as national publicity about the tragedies grows.
"The recommendations of the CDC will carry tremendous weight and significance to the point that a lack of action in responding to the recommendations would be unacceptable," he said.
But Bill Griffith, chairman of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, said numerous suggestions from the association's study have been implemented, such as improved warning signs and increased lifeguard pay.
He said the county doesn't have enough money to follow the U.S. Lifesaving Association's main recommendation to add lifeguards, especially in front of busy hotels and condominiums.
"All I can say is "We have another committee,' " Griffith said, adding that he's concerned about publicity and doubts that the new group will produce nothing new.
Chris Brewster, chairman of the National Certification Committee of the U.S. Lifesaving Association, said he expects the CDC report to restate much of his organization's recommendations.
Brewster sees little chance that the drownings will taper off if more lifeguards are not hired.
"The hazards have been there all along," he said. "As you have more tourists, you have more drownings. It's inevitable."
