A routine beach rescue at Makapuu on Oahu took a dangerous turn this week when even the rescuers needed rescuing. Two beachgoers got into trouble in the surf just after 7 p.m., shortly after sunset, when lifeguards had gone off duty. But as Honolulu Ocean Safety personnel responded, they too were swept out by strong currents, triggering a second emergency. The incident involved visitors and trained ocean safety professionals, each caught in separate waves as conditions worsened.
Update: Two rescued at Sandy Beach hours later.
Just hours after this article was first published, Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to two near-drownings at Sandy Beach—a stretch also featured in Jeff’s personal story. In separate incidents on June 19:
At 11 a.m., lifeguards rescued a 25-year-old woman struggling to swim; she was treated on scene and declined further medical care.
Around 12:40 p.m., a 27-year-old visitor was pulled from the surf unresponsive. Lifeguards performed CPR, restoring his pulse. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition…