A young boy was pulled unconscious from the ocean at Silver Beach on Friday, turning a routine day at the Volusia County shoreline into a frantic rescue. Two lifeguards rushed in and helped bring the child back after he was found unresponsive in the water.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, the lifeguards responded to cries for help, pulled the boy from the ocean and began CPR. The child started breathing again, and the lifeguards were credited with saving his life.
Volusia Officials Urge Families To Stay Near Lifeguards
The rescue unfolded at Silver Beach, a Volusia County beach where conditions can change quickly even when the water looks manageable. Volusia County Beach Safety advises swimmers to stay in front of a lifeguard, ask about surf and rip-current conditions, and watch children closely in the ocean.
County officials also warn that rip currents can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore. Anyone caught in one should remain calm, avoid swimming directly against the current, move parallel to the beach and wave for help if necessary.
Rescue Comes After A Rough July For Volusia Beaches
The close call comes after a dangerous Fourth of July period along the county’s coastline, when more than 200 swimmers were rescued and two people drowned. Hoodline previously reported that lifeguards were already handling an unusually heavy rescue workload as holiday crowds filled the beaches.
For anyone who sees a swimmer in trouble, Volusia County says not to become a second victim by rushing into the water without training. Instead, beachgoers should alert a lifeguard, call 911 and throw the person something that floats while waiting for help.
