Lifeguards log 400-plus rescues With the...

Lifeguards log 400-plus rescues

With the summer drawing to a close and a south swell bringing in

high surf, the beaches were packed Sunday and beach-goers gave

Newport Beach lifeguards a run for their money.

Lifeguards counted more than 400 rescues, said Newport Beach

Lifeguard Capt. Jim Turner.

“It was a good, good day,” he said. “The guards were very, very

active.”

Lifeguard John Zeiser who was working at 13th Street in Newport

Beach was one of those active guards on Sunday. Zeiser saw two

victims in a set of 10-foot waves, Turner said. While Zeiser managed

to rescue one person immediately, both he and the second victim took

a hit from a second 10-foot wave. Both made it out safely.

“It was a very successful rescue,” Turner said.

Lifeguards also resuscitated a little girl at the Corona del Mar

State Beach who suffered a seizure and had stopped breathing.

Lifeguards were able to get her breathing and sent her off to Hoag

Hospital for examination of a possible spinal injury, Turner said.

Overall, the Newport Beach Lifeguards managed to make very

successful rescues despite the difficulties presented by the

extremely high surf by making sure that people stayed closer to the

shore unless they were wearing two fins or they were very acclimated

to big waves.