LBTBP has established a number of programs relating to its primary goal of protecting the beaches. These programs help to distinguish LBTBP from other beach patrols.

LBTBP owns three inflatable rescue boats (IRBs). These boats are used to patrol LBTBP beaches (especially during manpower shortages); to provide backup for rescues; to handle conflicts with surfers and personal watercraft users; and to help set up for and run competitions.

Each IRB has an inflatable collar and a rigid hull. The boats are equipped with motors, and they are operated by a driver and a crewman. Both the driver and the crewman must have good ocean knowledge and boating skills.

The boats are equipped with a variety of equipment, including immersible radios, rescue tubes, throwing lines, and pocket masks. They also have emergency equipment such as paddles and righting lines (in case the engine dies or the boat flips).

The IRB program has six officers assigned to it: a coordinator and five drivers. These officers are responsible for maintaining the IRBs, bringing them to the beach every day, and patrolling. They are also responsible for setting up race courses for competitions, for operating the IRBs during competitions, and for assisting the scuba search and rescue team when necessary.

To be a member of the IRB program, guards must have at least two full years of working experience for LBTBP, and be profficient paddlers and rowers.

When backing up swimming rescues, the IRB will pull directly up to the victim if it is safe to do so. If not, the crewman will dive into the water with a rescue tube and swim in toward the victim as the guard from the beach swims out.

In most other rescue situations requiring an IRB, such as a mass rescue, one or more guards will first reach the victims and stabilize them with a can, paddleboard, surf ski, or surfboat. They will then wait for the IRB to arrive, and the IRB will be used to transport the victims back to the beach.

IRBs are often called to deal with uncooperative beach patrons in the water, such as surfers, windsurfers, and personal watercraft users. IRBs are also used to chase away boaters that are coming dangerously close to the swimming area.