On-set water safety for film, TV and commercials in Los Angeles
When talent, stunt performers or crew are in or near the water, someone needs to be watching the people, not the frame. We bring 13 years of California State Parks ocean lifeguarding experience and a network of qualified lifeguards and EMT-certified water professionals to LA productions of every size.
- 13 years as a CA State Parks ocean lifeguard (Malibu)
- Network of qualified lifeguards & EMT-certified water pros
- Beach · Ocean · Pool · Boat · Tank
- [Insured, COI available on request: pending]
Environments
Beach, ocean, pool, boat and tank
Beach & ocean
Surf-zone scenes, swimmers, background actors in the water, sunrise and sunset shoots. Coverage based on that day's swell, tide and rip current read.
Pool
Residential, estate, hotel and rooftop pools. We check depth, entries, drains and decks before talent gets in.
Boat
In-water safety for jumps, swims and overboard scenes from vessels, coordinated with your marine coordinator and captain.
Tank & stunt
In-water safety alongside your stunt coordinator for falls, breath-hold and underwater work. [Confirm safety diver scope & certifications]
EMT / medic standby
A separate medical layer so the water team never has to leave the water to treat someone on deck.
Consults & scouts
Pre-production water scouts and written safety notes for your safety file.
On the day
What a typical deployment includes
- Pre-shoot scout or walkthrough and conditions check, using the CSATF Safety Bulletin #17 (Water Hazards) framework
- Private swim-ability check and safety briefing for in-water cast
- Out-of-frame positioning: in the water, on a rescue board, on deck or on shore
- Head counts in and out on every setup
- Direct line with the 1st AD and stunt coordinator, with authority to stop a take for safety
- Rescue equipment and first aid kit [AED: confirm]
- Written water safety notes for your production's safety file
Paperwork: [Insured, COI available on request: pending] · [Union / non-union policy: TBD] · W-9 and invoicing for production accounting.
Shooting on an LA County beach?
Per FilmLA, water activity on County beaches generally requires a hired LA County lifeguard (4-hour minimum; 8 hours outside 6am–10pm), and there's no water activity for 72 hours after rain. We don't replace that requirement. We add dedicated in-water talent safety, extra eyes and EMT standby on top of it.
State beaches are permitted through the California Film Commission / State Parks.
FAQ
Production water safety questions
Do we need a lifeguard for a pool scene?
If anyone is going into water deeper than chest height, if a minor is near the water, or if wardrobe, stunts, night work or cold water are involved, we recommend dedicated water safety. Read the full guide.
Can your lifeguard double as the set medic?
We don't recommend it during water work. Book a separate EMT so the water is always watched.
How many water safety personnel do we need?
It depends on water type, the number of people in the water, swimming ability, stunts, boats, night work and minors. Send us the scene breakdown and we'll scope it and explain our reasoning.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can. We'll also take last-minute requests and tell you honestly what we can staff.
Do you provide a COI?
[Insured, COI available on request: pending]
Planning a shoot with water?
Send the shoot date, location, water type, number of cast in the water, stunts and call time.