Have you seen this save of a young boy caught in a surf in Santa Cruz? In this viral footage, 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams repeatedly disappeared beneath towering waves while refusing to let go of a child swept into dangerous surf. This rescue has captured the country’s attention for a young lifeguard’s bravery, skill, and quick thinking in the face of a life-threatening moment. Huge respect to Ryder, his fellow lifeguards, and every ocean rescue professional who shows up for the public ever.
Cary Epstein, co-founder of the Jones Beach Lifeguards Association, analyzed this viral footage on Fox and Friends for us to explain how the lifeguard was able to accomplish this save. As a 28-year veteran lifeguard at Jones Beach and an EMT of 28-years, Cary is one of the driving forces behind innovations like New York State’s first Lifeguard Drone Team and the NYS Parks Rescue Watercraft Program. In this segment, Cary brought a combination of on-the-water experience and training expertise to the national conversation, breaking down exactly what it takes, physically and mentally, to make a save like this. Thank you to Cary for representing our profession on a national stage!