Lifeguards save rip current victim

Most people wouldn’t refer to saving lives as routine. But for Boyd Mckley, a Newport Beach lifeguard, when he pulled a man to safety Thursday afternoon, it was all in a day’s work.

“That’s what we do, that’s what we train for,” said Mckley, a 25-year veteran. “It feels great to be able to help someone.”

Mckley was part of a team of lifeguards who helped save a man near Balboa Pier about 3 p.m. Thursday after a rip current pulled him away from shore. The man struggled at first, but friends called 911 and lifeguards responded within minutes, authorities said.

This was the second consecutive day Newport Beach lifeguards were involved in a rescue. On Wednesday, lifeguards and a surfing instructor rescued two young children from drowning.

The rescue helicopter Eagle was first to respond and attempted to throw the man a flotation device but the man was too tired to grab it, authorities said.

When lifeguards arrived, though, they swam to the man, gave him the buoy, and swam him back, lifeguards said.

“It struck me how far from the shore he was,” Mckley said. “But it wasn’t a difficult rescue.”

The man was treated at the scene and left of his own free will — just tired and cold, Mckley said — which is much better than the alternative.

Lifeguards warned beach visitors to be particularly careful this time of year.

The cold weather limits the stamina of swimmers, and winter storms have made the ocean floor unpredictable.

Lifeguards and the Newport Beach Fire Department suggest swimming with a buddy or near a lifeguard during the spring season because lifeguard towers are not fully staffed. When caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore rather than toward it, until the current relaxes.

Most people wouldn’t refer to saving lives as routine, but for Boyd Mckley, a Newport Beach lifeguard, when he pulled a man to safety Thursday afternoon, it was all in a day’s work.

“That’s what we do, that’s what we train for,” said Mckley, a 25-year veteran. “It feels great to be able to help someone.”

Mckley was part of a team of lifeguards who helped save a man near Balboa Pier about 3 p.m. Thursday after a rip current pulled him away from shore. The man struggled at first, but friends called 911 and lifeguards responded within minutes, authorities said.

This was the second consecutive day Newport Beach lifeguards were involved in a rescue. On Wednesday, lifeguards and a surfing instructor rescued two young children from drowning.

The rescue helicopter Eagle was first to respond and attempted to throw the man a flotation device but the man was too tired to grab it, authorities said.

When lifeguards arrived, though, they swam to the man, gave him the buoy, and swam him back, lifeguards said.

“It struck me how far from the shore he was,” Mckley said. “But it wasn’t a difficult rescue.”

The man was treated at the scene and left of his own free will — just tired and cold, Mckley said — which is much better than the alternative.

Lifeguards warned beach visitors to be particularly careful this time of year. The cold weather limits the stamina of swimmers, and winter storms have made the ocean floor unpredictable.

Lifeguards and the Newport Beach Fire Department suggest swimming with a buddy or near a lifeguard during the spring season because lifeguard towers are not fully staffed. When caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore rather than toward it, until the current relaxes.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com. DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.