This Week in Lifeguard News – Water Rescuers

This Week in Lifeguard News – Water Rescuers

If you are looking for the epitome of selfish risk taking for the greater good, then you would probably find it sitting by the pool or beach clad in red and white constantly looking from one end of the pool to another, and occasionally dishing out instructions to swimmers. These water rescuers are lifeguards.

Every week on Lifeguard Times, we keep our esteemed readers informed on the happenings of their favorite heroes. Here’s what the lifeguard news this week covers.

• San Diego Lifeguard Almost Drowns in a Rescue Attempt
• 72-year-old Norwegian Tourist Saved in Paphos, Cyprus
• 18-year-old Lifeguard Rescues His Former Headmaster
• Lifeguards Rescue Boaters from Capsized Boat in Florida

San Diego Lifeguard Almost Drowns in Rescue Attempt

In an attempt to rescue some five fishermen whose boat capsized, San Diego senior lifeguard John Bahl nearly lost his life. Bahl was the first to arrive at the scene when it was discovered that a large wave had capsized the 25-foot boat. Despite getting pounded repeatedly by 12 to 15 feet waves and swallowing enough water to eventually cause him a lung infection, Bahl was able to successfully rescue two of the five fishermen. Another crew later arrived at the scene and helped rescue two others. However, the fifth fisherman and boat owner, Tony Nguyen was lost at sea that night.

Recounting the ordeal, Bahl said it was his riskiest attempt yet, further stating how grateful he was to be alive yet extending condolences to the family of the only deceased fisherman and owner of the boat, Tony Nguyen.

72-year-old Norwegian Tourist Saved in Paphos, Cyprus

Thanks to the extension of lifeguard service hours, a 72-year-old Norwegian man was rescued at a pool in Paphos. Reports say the 72-year-old holidaymaker lost consciousness while swimming in front of the Olympic Lagoon Hotel in Paphos. Thankfully, he was pulled ashore by a boat owner who further went to get professional help from on-duty lifeguards at Sodap beach near the hotel. The lifeguards were able to administer first aid and resuscitate the man. Prior to this time, lifeguards at Sodap beach Cyprus stopped working at 5pm. It was not until recently that the service hours was extended to 7pm. With exception of Sodap and Bama beaches, all other beaches in Cyprus stopped working at the official end of swimming season – October 31.

18-Year-Old Lifeguard Rescues His Former Headmaster

18-year-old lifeguard Chris Whittaker rescued his former headmaster who had a cardiac arrest while swimming in a pool in Keynsham. Whittaker had reacted professionally when he noticed a swimmer starting to sink at the Keynsham leisure center, only to discover after pulling the victim out of the water, that it was actually his 74-year-old former headmaster John Smith. First Aid CPR and three defibrillator shocks were carried out on the victim before he regained a pulse. Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after and flew the victim to a hospital.

Lifeguards Rescue Boaters From Capsized Boat in Florida

Lifeguards at Jupiter Florida rescued two boaters after their boats capsized at about 7:30 am on Wednesday. Ocean lifeguard and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue EMT, West Price and his partner were first to arrive the scene after receiving the distress call reporting a capsized 22-foot-boat. Price and his partner found and rescued one boater from the water but needed help from a helicopter to spot and rescue the second boater which they eventually rescued. The victims were traumatized and said to have had cardiac and respiratory arrest issues. Lifeguard West Price went to the hospital to receive treatment for carbon-monoxide inhalation.╚

For future information about lifeguarding related industry topics, visit www.lifeguardtimes.com.