They were called heroes for their efforts to help save a swimmer who had just been attacked by a great white shark, now efforts are underway to officially recognize them as such. On Wednesday, three good Samaritans came to the rescue of Steve Bruemmer, 62, who was bitten by a shark while swimming in the water off Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. A spokesperson for the American Red Cross of the Central Coast said plans are in the works to nominate the three for a Red Cross heroes award.The good Samaritans were identified as Heath Braddock, a surfer from Moss Landing, Aimee Johns, a nurse from Folsom and her husband Paul Bandy, a Sacramento police officer. All were in the water that day and Bandy said he did what he’s trained to do.“As a police officer I respond to emergencies all the time so I don’t think there was ever a question of whether or not we were gonna go," Bandy said the day of the rescue. "It's just how fast we were going to be able to get there."| WATCH | Good Samaritans rescue shark attack victim near Lovers Point“We’re looking at honoring them. They’re heroic individuals in our community and in their home community," said Patsy Gasca. "What they did not a lot of people would do that knowing there was a shark still in the water but they didn’t think twice they went in and rescued this gentleman and because of that he’s alive today."After being brought to shore by the good Samaritans, Bruemmer was taken to the trauma center at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where he underwent two hours of surgery; he’s currently listed in good condition.His doctor said had it not been for his rescuers, Bruemmer might not have survived.| READ MORE | Trauma surgeon shares update on Pacific Grove shark attack victim“They were extremely helpful they’re actually the real heroes of the situation," said Dr. Nicholas Rottler. "Without someone on the beach ready to go out and bring him back in and then people on the beach ready with tourniquets; he could’ve also lost his life in just the fact that no one was available or there was no one able to bring him in he could’ve died in the water. The bystanders were crucial in saving his life."The American Red Cross said the recommendation for a heroes award will go to the national office and it could take several weeks for a letter of commendation to be issued. That letter will be awarded at some sort of public ceremony.“It will be in front of the community probably," Gasca said. "We have to plan all that out but it will occur."At the time of the rescue Bandy and his wife Aimee were in town celebrating their wedding anniversary. They were staying at the Colton Inn in Monterey and in a show of goodwill, management did not charge them for their entire stay.“It was the right thing to do after all they did,” said a hotel employee.