Off-duty lifeguard saves 7 from rip current at Lido Beach

An off-duty lifeguard is credited with saving seven swimmers on June 22 when rip currents swept them more than 200 yards off Lido Beach, Sarasota County officials say.

Sarasota County Fire Department Lifeguard Mariano Martinez was relaxing at Lido Beach after his shift when he received a water rescue alert through a phone app, according to a news release from the county. 

A storm had just passed through the area, creating conditions for rip currents — powerful channels of water capable of pulling even the strongest swimmers out to deeper waters.  

Courtesy image

Despite being off-duty, Martinez said his instincts kicked in and he leapt into action, grabbing a rescue tube and entering the water.

Upon reaching the swimmers more than 200 yards offshore, Martinez discovered nine swimmers, most of them in distress. 

Martinez, in Spanish, urged the group to stay as calm as possible. He quickly secured one swimmer with a rescue tube, helping a mother and daughter to shore before returning for five others. The remaining two people were able to swim out of the current and get to shore on their own. 

He made multiple trips to rescue the remaining swimmers, using bodyboards to bring them back to shore safely.

“I have, always, in my car, or wherever I am, my rescue stuff because I love responding,” said Martinez, a six-year veteran lifeguard for the county, with 15 years of lifeguarding experience in his home country of Argentina.

“I can’t explain the feeling,” said Martinez. “You cannot explain when you are watching a person and his or her life is in your hands.”

Six of the rescued swimmers were evaluated, and one was treated and released at the scene by Sarasota County Fire Department personnel.

“It’s days like this that make the work we do so rewarding,” said Sarasota County Fire Department Lifeguard Chief Rick Hinkson.

Rip currents are dangerous. Swimmers are advised to always stay near a lifeguard and know their limits. If there’s ever a doubt about whether they should enter the water, don’t take the risk.

If caught in a rip current, remain calm, signal for help, and swim parallel to the shore until out of the current’s grip, then head diagonally towards the shoreline, the news release said.

For Sarasota County beach conditions, visit VisitBeaches.org. Sarasota County Fire Department lifeguards are on duty, in their stands from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily on six beaches: Lido, Siesta, Nokomis, North Jetty, Venice and Manasota.

Learn more about rip currents and rip current safety at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration site.