Tybee Island Ocean Rescue Team save man from drowning

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WSAV) – It was a busy day on Tybee Island on Saturday as the Tybee Island Ocean Rescue team saved a man from drowning.

During the afternoon, immediately after clearing from a jet ski response for the rescue of a paddle boarder stuck in the marsh on Little Tybee, lifeguards were flagged down near 19th St. for another victim in distress.

According to the rescue team, a 19-year-old male was caught in a rip current just north of the 18th St. jetty, pulled 100 yards out, drifted south with the current, then caught in another rip current at 19th St., pulling him over 300 yards out total.

Ocean rescue says the victim, exhausted, had a brief loss of consciousness in the water, swallowed and aspirated water, and would have possibly not survived without the coordinated efforts of their team.

“This rescue is a sobering reminder of why we fly double red flags and why it’s so important to heed lifeguard warnings. Your safety is our priority—always check in with your lifeguards and respect the ocean’s power.” said Tybee Island Ocean Rescue in a Facebook post.