A Legacy of Safety on Set
For two decades, Golden State Lifeguards has been a trusted name in Southern California, providing professional production set safety personnel (lifeguards & set medics) to some of the biggest reality TV shows and film projects in the region. Since our founding, we have experienced the highs and lows of the entertainment industry, adapting to changing times while always delivering the highest level of professionalism.
From poolside shoots to open-water sequences, our team has played a crucial role in protecting casts and crews, ensuring that the creative process is never interrupted by preventable accidents. Beyond lifeguards and water safety experts, we have also been called upon to serve as technical and safety consultants—bringing real-world expertise into the heart of production planning.
This blog will take a deep dive into our 20-year journey, the challenges the film industry has faced, and the role Golden State Lifeguards continues to play as productions slowly return to Southern California.
The Early Days: Building a Reputation
When Golden State Lifeguards first entered the entertainment industry, we were a small operation with a big vision. Productions needed reliable safety personnel who not only understood aquatic environments but also the unique pressures of a film set.
Our earliest projects ranged from low-budget, non-union shoots to larger-scale productions. Regardless of the size, our promise was always the same: to deliver seasoned professionals who prioritize safety without interfering with the creative process.
That commitment quickly earned us a reputation among producers and directors. We became known as the team that could be trusted to handle everything from poolside parties for reality TV to technically demanding offshore shoots requiring specialized knowledge and experience.
Expanding Services: More Than Just Lifeguards
As demand grew, so did our range of services. Productions realized that having Golden State Lifeguards on set went beyond just monitoring the water. We provided:
- Aquatic Safety Personnel – Ensuring safety during pool, beach, and open-water filming.
- On-Set Medical Support (Set Medics) – Basic emergency care in the event of accidents or injuries.
- Technical Consultants – Offering insight into realistic portrayals of lifeguards, rescue scenarios, and water safety.
- Production Safety Consultants – Working directly with producers and coordinators to anticipate risks and build safety plans into shooting schedules.
This holistic approach set us apart. While other companies focused only on staffing, we became true partners in the production process, helping filmmakers strike the right balance between artistic vision and real-world safety.
The Impact of the Pandemic: A Changing Industry
For years, Los Angeles was the beating heart of film and television. Productions were plentiful, and Golden State Lifeguards was always in demand. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a devastating blow to the industry.
Film and television productions were forced to shut down for months. When restrictions lifted, strict rules and protocols added enormous costs to every project. Productions that once thrived in Los Angeles suddenly faced financial and logistical obstacles.
To make matters worse, film permits in Los Angeles became prohibitively expensive. For many production companies, the cost of filming in California simply wasn’t worth it anymore. As a result, countless productions left the state—many never to return.
This exodus reshaped the industry. While some productions relocated to states like Georgia, New Mexico, and Nevada, the Los Angeles region—once the undisputed capital of filmmaking—was left with far fewer opportunities.
The Human Side of the Shift
For companies like Golden State Lifeguards, the downturn meant more than just lost contracts. It meant losing the vibrant, bustling energy of sets that had been our second home for years. It meant seeing colleagues in the industry struggle to adapt or, in some cases, close their doors permanently.
Yet, even in the face of these challenges, we remained committed to our mission. We never left. We stood ready for the moment productions would begin to trickle back, determined to show that our expertise was still an essential part of filmmaking in Southern California.
Signs of Hope: A Possible Resurgence
Despite the setbacks, there are reasons for optimism. In recent months, multiple new sound stages have been built in Burbank and Woodland Hills. This kind of investment signals that there is still faith in Southern California as a hub for production.
While it is too early to declare a full resurgence, the construction of these facilities gives us hope. A growing infrastructure could encourage more filmmakers to stay local—or return after years of filming elsewhere.
Golden State Lifeguards remains cautiously optimistic. We know that the industry will never be exactly as it was, but we also know that filmmaking in Los Angeles is too deeply rooted to disappear entirely.
Why Productions Choose Golden State Lifeguards
Over the years, producers and directors have come back to us time and again for one reason: trust. On a film set, time is money, and mistakes can cost both. By working with Golden State Lifeguards, productions gain peace of mind knowing that safety is in expert hands.
Here’s why productions continue to choose us:
- Experience – With 20 years in the industry, we’ve handled everything from reality TV to high-budget features.
- Professionalism – Our personnel are mature, reliable, and trained to work seamlessly with cast and crew.
- Versatility – Whether it’s poolside, beachfront, or offshore, we can adapt to any filming environment.
- Consultation – We don’t just staff sets—we help productions plan for safety from the ground up.
- Reputation – Our track record speaks for itself. We’re known throughout the industry for our integrity and commitment.
Safety in Action: Real-World Scenarios
Over the years, Golden State Lifeguards has been tested in countless real-world scenarios. Here are just a few examples:
- Poolside Shoots – Ensuring safety for both cast and extras during high-energy scenes where slips, falls, and exhaustion are risks.
- Beach Productions – Managing the unpredictable nature of surf, tides, and rip currents while keeping filming on schedule.
- Offshore Filming – Coordinating watercraft safety, monitoring weather conditions, and providing emergency readiness in open water environments.
- Reality TV Challenges – Safeguarding contestants during physically demanding or water-related stunts.
In each case, our role was not just to react to emergencies but to anticipate risks and prevent accidents before they happened.
Looking Ahead: Our Message to the Industry
As we look toward the future, our message to producers, directors, and coordinators is clear: Golden State Lifeguards is still here!!
We have not gone anywhere, and we remain ready to provide the same top-tier safety services that have defined us for 20 years. Whether your production is large or small, whether you’re filming poolside, at the beach, or offshore, we are prepared to deliver the protection and expertise you need.
The film industry may have changed, but the importance of safety has not. In fact, in an era of tighter budgets and stricter regulations, having experienced professionals on set is more valuable than ever.
20 Years and Counting
Golden State Lifeguards is proud of the legacy we’ve built over the past two decades. From our humble beginnings to working on major productions, our journey has been defined by professionalism, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to safety.
Yes, the industry has faced unprecedented challenges. Yes, productions have left California in search of greener pastures. But we remain confident that Southern California’s film industry is not finished—it’s simply evolving.
As new sound stages rise and opportunities re-emerge, Golden State Lifeguards will be there, ready to protect the people who make stories come to life.
For 20 years, we have been your safety partner on set—and we’re ready for the next 20.