backboard - A wood or plastic board used to stabilize and transport a victim of a suspected neck, back, or leg injury (n); to place a victim on a backboard (v)

backwash - The water that runs back downhill after being sent uphill by a wave (n)

backup - A secondary responder in an emergency (n); to respond as backup (v)

battery - Touching a victim without their consent (n)

beach badge - A small plastic permit required for recreational beach access during the summer (n)

beachwheel - A specially designed beach wheelchair (n)

berm - A ledge of sand formed by the action of the waves and tide (n)

blown out - When the wind has degraded surf conditions, usually by causing chop (adj)

BLS - Basic life support (rescue breathing and CPR) (n)

board - A foam board used for riding waves, usually on the belly or the knees (see also “surfboard”) (n)

bodysurf - To ride waves with one’s body, but without using floatation equipment (v)

bow - When the rescue line is pushed into a curve by the current

bow - The front of the boat (the end with the point) (n); near the bow (adj) [rhymes with “now”]

bow seat - The seat in the middle of the boat which is closer to the bow (n)

breach - To turn sideways unintentionally while wave riding in a boat (v)

break - The action of a wave when it gets so large it collapses onto itself (v); place where waves break (n)

breaker - A wave that breaks (n)

BSI - Body Substance Isolation (to protect against infectious diseases from bloodborne pathogens) (n, adj)

bulkhead - A construction designed to prevent erosion by holding sand in place (n)

bunny hop - A way of using the paddleboard to run through medium-depth water (v)

buoy - A floating marker, normally anchored in place (n); a rescue device (n)

BW - Beachwheels program (n)