Lifeguards around the world are the unsung heroes of ocean safety, often performing their duties, saving lives, with little praise. It is, after all, just part of the job.
Recently, in the posh coastal San Diego suburb of La Jolla, two lifeguards jumped into an angry ocean to rescue two spearfishermen, who had been previously warned against going out. And likely, they’re lives were saved from the heroic lifeguard intervention.
Check out the harrowing situation below.
It sounds like the incident went down on Friday, November 14th, amidst what officials were calling 6-to-8-foot waves. The rescue took place near the world-famous Children’s Pool in La Jolla – typically a popular, picturesque seaside destination for tourists. But on this day, the ocean was not friendly due to the high surf rolling in.
Per the Lifeguards of San Diego: “LGs II Pat McVan and Austin Mathis recognized that a couple of spear fisherman (who had been previously warned today is not the right day) were unable to get back to the beach. The situation deteriorated quickly and there was no time for wetsuits as they entered the water. The victims climbed up onto a ledge in a slot.”
One of the victims was able to pull himself onto the cliffs, amidst the pounding waves, while the other “got slammed into the cliff and dragged back out into the surf.”
Related: Huge Swell, King Tides Cause Cliff Collapse in CA (Video)
From there, the other victim still in the water was going in and out of consciousness. The lifeguards got ahold of him, using their flotation devices for help. They began waving their arms, calling for further assistance. And ultimately, the two lifeguards were able to get the second victim to shore, passing him off to medics on the scene.
As for the first guy, who made it out on his own, they reported:
“The guy who crawled away came up after and apologized saying that he thinks he would have died if the lifeguards had not been there.”
Kudos to these two legends for literally saving lives. But again, it’s all just part of the gig.
Related: Surfer Rescues Teen After Near-Fatal SUP Collision in SoCal
