A Community-Based Solution to Ocean Safety in Puerto Rico
Rincón Water Safety is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing drownings and improving ocean safety through education, preparedness, and community-based response systems.
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Our work addresses a critical gap: Puerto Rico does not have an open-water lifeguarding system, leaving beachgoers, surfers, and visitors vulnerable when emergencies occur.
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Why Rincón Water Safety Exists
Rincón Water Safety is a nonprofit organization created in response to a critical safety gap in Puerto Rico: the absence of a coordinated open-water lifeguarding system.
We empower community members to act as first responders through training, preparedness, and strategically placed safety equipment.
How it Started
On February 12, 2019, the surf community of Rincón experienced a tragedy that exposed a critical lack of ocean safety infrastructure.
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A local surfer known as Pancho lost his life while surfing at María’s Beach. When he was pulled from the water, there was no clear leadership, no AED available, and uncertainty about what actions should be taken before emergency services arrived.
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That moment raised difficult but necessary questions within the community. One week later, surfers, instructors, and residents came together to begin building a practical, community-driven response focused on saving lives.
How We Save Lifes
