Learning From a Near-Tragedy: How One Man’s Water Rescue Skills Saved Five Lives During a Rip Current Incident

A powerful Atlantic hurricane, named Erin, is posing significant threats along the seaboard with dangerous water levels, waves, and rip currents. While avoiding the water entirely is the safest course of action, understanding what to do if caught in a rip current can be crucial, as swimmers may not always foresee the danger.

In 2017 on Good Friday, Wyatt Werneth was called by his wife who had gone grocery shopping with their daughter. Their car had broken down, necessitating a rescue. As he drove past Patrick Space Force Base near Cape Canaveral, Florida, Werneth noticed someone waving in traffic from the A1A highway. Intrigued, he decided to check on the situation and found multiple individuals struggling in a treacherous rip current of the Atlantic Ocean.

Werneth, an experienced lifeguard instructor, had water rescue equipment in his vehicle. Faced with saving at least five people battling against a vicious rip current, Werneth knew that the task would be arduous. Tropical storm systems hundreds of miles out can still cause rip currents along the coastline, and as temperatures rise, the temptation to take a dip in the water becomes stronger.

In the United States, an estimated 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur annually, amounting to approximately 11 drowning fatalities per day, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The likelihood of drowning is far higher than that of being attacked by a shark or an alligator. Worldwide statistics are even more alarming, with the UN’s World Health Organization reporting an estimated 300,000 annual drowning deaths, equating to approximately 822 people per day.

Survivors of near-drownings often experience a range of outcomes – from no injuries to severe disability or death. Many of these tragedies are preventable, experts say. To safely enjoy the water – whether it be ocean, river, lake, or swimming pool – a few precautions and guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.

Understanding which groups are at higher risk for drowning is essential in focusing attention where it’s needed most. In the United States, these at-risk groups include:

1. Young children (ages 1 to 4) – who have the highest drowning rates, primarily occurring in swimming pools according to the CDC.
2. Males – accounting for nearly 80% of fatal drownings in the United States, due to riskier behaviors and increased alcohol consumption. Across the globe, men have more than double the fatal drowning rate compared to women.
3. Minority groups – American Indian or Alaska Native people aged 29 and younger have a drowning fatality rate that is two times higher than White people. For Black people, the rate is 1.5 times higher than for White people.
4. People with seizure disorders – such as epilepsy – are at greater risk of drowning, even in bathtubs.

The CDC emphasizes learning basic water safety skills, stating that formal lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning. However, children who have received swimming lessons still require constant and close supervision when in or around water. Avoid getting distracted by TV, books, or phones while watching children in the water.

If you’re consuming alcoholic beverages, abstain from entering the water and refrain from boating. Impaired judgment and slow reactions can lead to fatal accidents. People in boats and weaker swimmers should wear life jackets, especially in open water.

Weather conditions also play a crucial role – exit the water if there’s a thunderstorm or heavy rains. Familiarize yourself with the waters you plan to enter. Different bodies of water carry various types of dangers:

1. Rip currents flow away from shore and often form at breaks in sandbars and close to piers and rock groins.
2. Shorebreak waves crash directly onto the sand and can disorient swimmers. “When in doubt, don’t go out,” advises Wyatt Werneth, who is also the public service spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association.
3. Swim Guide recommends swimming during the hour before or the hour after low tide or high tide when waters are generally calmer (however, conditions can vary beach to beach).
4. Tubing and other activities in rivers should be approached with caution due to swift currents, hidden obstacles below the surface, or debris that could pose hazards. Research the river before you enter.
5. Lakes and ponds may give a false sense of security due to their placid waters, but sharp drop-offs and debris beneath the water can startle or entangle swimmers, leading to panic and drowning. Enter designated areas only, and always go in with a swim buddy.
6. Dive only in designated areas, and avoid straying into areas where personal watercraft and boats are speeding by.
7. Pool owners should invest in four-sided fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates, door and window alarms, and safety covers to prevent unsupervised access for children.
8. Even if your children know how to swim, adults should still maintain a watchful eye. Keep flotation devices readily available.
9. The National Park Service’s “Operation Dry Water” reminds people that all vessels must carry personal flotation devices.

Back in 2017 on that Florida beach, Werneth faced a daunting task. However, he remained calm, drew upon his decades of experience, and – fortunately – had a second experienced assistant nearby who was later revealed to be from the Air Force.

“He was single-handedly pulling people out before I even arrived,” said Werneth. “That Air Force guy was coming back with one. I saw that he had one that was going unconscious, and I immediately jumped in the water, swam out, grabbed the unconscious person, and got him out.”

Werneth estimates they were about 50 yards out, and he recalls they managed to rescue five male teenagers who were not even wearing swimming attire, leading him to believe it was an impromptu decision to enter the ocean. Would the group have survived without the rescue, which left Werneth exhausted?

“I assure you they all would have,” said Werneth. “These people went in to help each other, and it caused a chain reaction. Do not go into the water to assist anyone without a flotation device.”

“It was perfect timing that I showed up and happened to be there to help those guys,” added Werneth. “But not everyone can rely on luck.”

In conclusion, having confidence in the water – gained through experience and respect for its potential dangers – is crucial. Understanding who is at higher risk for drowning and taking necessary precautions can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.