Rescue

Last weekend, Kit and Nate and Fiona joined me to enjoy the new deck and get in as much beach time as possible.  The beach time effort took us to Atlantic Beach in East Hampton on one morning.  Most of the time it was about sand and waves and sun and good times.  Then at one point I noticed our nearby lifeguard standing at attention staring out to a point way beyond the usual swimmers.

Following the gaze, I saw two lifeguards swimming fast and straight toward that point.  When I say fast, I mean that I don't think Michael Phelps could have bettered their time.  Not in that water.  It was the most efficient Australian crawl I have ever seen.  A bit farther down the beach were two more lifeguards on the same mission.  In the surf were more lifeguards paying out the ropes towed by the swimmers.  And way out there was a woman who was not going to get back without help.

The swimmers arrive and there are now four swimmers surrounding her and making sure she knows that she's going to make it.  Now the ropes are being reeled back and the group moves slowly back to the beach.  EMT trucks are already on the beach waiting.

The best part is that as soon as they reached the beach the woman was able to get up and walk toward the rest of the rescue group.  Lifeguards and, in fact, the whole beach broke into applause.

Wow!  Nothing like realizing that it's a really big ocean out there.  REALLY big.  And being so glad that there are so many strong, well trained folks with the abilities to help us.  And sometimes save us.