SWFD lifeguard rescues man, dog that swam too far from shore in Miramar Beach
Sierra RainsMIRAMAR BEACH — A South Walton Fire District lifeguard rescued a man and dog Sunday evening that were struggling to make it back to shore after swimming out too far.
A 911 call came into the SWFD’s Emergency Communications Center at 6:43 p.m. from the area of Snowdrift Road in Miramar Beach, according to a SWFD news release.
The caller said a person and a dog were near the second sandbar and struggling to make it back to shore. Multiple other swimmers with flotation devices were attempting to rescue the victims when first responders arrived.
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A lifeguard entered the water on a rescue board and checked with each swimmer while paddling out to the two victims. All swimmers confirmed they were doing well, but were “gravely concerned” about the man and dog, the SWFD said.
The lifeguard secured the person and dog on a rescue board and successfully swam them back to shore. Another lifeguard and a Walton County sheriff’s deputy also entered the water as the rescue was underway to help the other swimmers get back to shore.
No one required transport to the hospital, according to the SWFD. The man told first responders he was not the dog’s owner, but was attempting to rescue the dog after it swam too far from shore.
Yellow and purple flags were flying at the time of the incident, indicating a moderate risk of rip currents and hazardous surf, as well as the presence of jellyfish.
Despite the recent stretch of calmer surf conditions, yellow flag days have been “extremely busy” for the SWFD Beach Safety Division, with multiple water rescues happening late into the evening.
SWFD lifeguards call “off duty” at 7 p.m. and are reminding the public to stay close to shore after that time. Permitted dogs should also be kept on a leash.