An off-duty lifeguard in Sarasota County demonstrated remarkable heroism, swiftly responding to a rescue alert and saving seven swimmers from the grips of a perilous rip current. Mariano Martinez, a lifeguard with the Sarasota County Fire Department, was alerted to the emergency via a notification on his phone. Without hesitation, he dove into action, arming himself with a rescue tube and swimming over 200 yards off Lido Beach to reach the imperiled swimmers. Once there, Martinez found that all seven individuals were in distress and required immediate assistance.
Martinez, known for his bravery, made several trips back and forth, facing the strong rip current each time. With the aid of both the rescue tube and bodyboards, he managed to bring each swimmer safely back to shore. The dramatic rescue unfolded on a day that reinforced the value of lifeguards like Martinez, as per a report by WTSP. Following the rescue, out of the seven rescued, six were evaluated by Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) personnel on the scene, and only one required treatment before being released, highlighting the urgency and precision in the rescue effort.
Fire rescue officials expressed their admiration and commendation for the valiant actions of Martinez. Sarasota County Fire Department Lifeguard Chief Rick Hinkson lauded the off-duty lifeguard's commitment, saying, "It’s days like this that make the work we do so rewarding," as captured in statements to the local media. Specifically, Hinkson told WFLA, "Working with someone as selfless and brave as Mariano makes it all that much better. He truly went above and beyond to save the family, and that is something to be commended. We’re proud to have him as a lifeguard here with us."
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with rip currents and the paramount importance of swimming near lifeguard-protected areas. Swimmers are urged to be aware of their limits and to heed the old adage "If in doubt, don’t go out," advice that you can find reiterated in literature published by the SCFD and detailed by Sarasota County Government's official site. Should anyone find themselves caught in a rip current, the recommended course of action is to remain calm, signal for help, and swim parallel to the shore, escaping the current's pull and making their way diagonally towards the beach. The life-threatening occurrence further underscores the constant vigilance exercised by lifesavers like Martinez who watch over the waters from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily at select Sarasota County beaches.
