Father rescued after cardiac arrest in ocean rescue

A man is recovering in the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest while trying to save his children from rough surf at an unguarded section of beach near Turtle Dunes Place on the southern end of Amelia Island.

The incident occurred around 5:36 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7. According to a press release from the Fernandina Beach Fire Department, three children were spotted in distress about 40 yards from shore. Their father entered the water in an effort to rescue them. Two of the children managed to return to shore on their own.

A bystander then entered the water with a small inflatable raft and successfully brought the father and the remaining child onto the raft. However, while on the raft, the father went into cardiac arrest.

“Upon reaching shore, bystanders initiated CPR,” the release states. “Ocean Rescue personnel quickly arrived on scene, deployed an AED, and assumed resuscitation efforts.”

Paramedics from Nassau County Fire Rescue and Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue took over care on the beach and were able to regain the man’s pulse before transporting him to a local hospital.

The rescue was complicated by the location and timing. The incident occurred in a remote area outside Fernandina Beach city limits, where no lifeguard patrols are provided. In addition, Ocean Rescue patrols had ended for the day at 5:30 p.m., just minutes before the emergency.

At the time, red flags were flying and a Rip Current Advisory was in effect from the National Weather Service.

“Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue urges all beachgoers to exercise caution when entering the ocean,” said Fire Chief Jeremy Holmes. “If in doubt, don’t go out.”

No further updates were provided on the condition of the father or the identity of those involved.