Surfer Dude Rescues Two Swimmers
by Nicole L. Warden
On a warm summer day in Okinawa, Japan, 19 year-old Scott Larsen, went down to the local beach to catch some rays and ocean waves. Little did he know that he would save not one but two lives during his visit.
Scott, whose parents were stationed in Japan for the Marines, was at the beach surfing when he noticed a woman caught in outgoing tides. He paddled out to the woman. Using his surfboard as a rescue aid, he helped the woman up onto the surfboard. He then realized there was a second person in need of help. The man was on an inflatable float, but was caught up in the tide also. Scott, trained as an American Red Cross Instructor in Water Safety and Lifeguard Training, secured the man by rope to his surfboard and proceeded to tow both exhausted victims to safety. Someone on shore had already called the local emergency unit; both victims were taken to the hospital for further examination.
Scott went back to his day of swimming and surfing. When he headed back to his car to leave for the day, there was a note on his car. The note was from the Ikei Island Fire Department asking him to stop by the station. He gave them his basic personal information and didn't think much more about it, until he was called later in the year to attend the annual Dozome-Shiki (fire fighter festival) to be honored for his life-saving efforts.
In an article in The Kinawa Marine, Scott's parents commented on their son's actions. "Scott is a very good young man and an incredibly good swimmer. He has worked as a lifeguard for two summers. He's taught kids swimming lessons, and he has always loved it."
For this lifesaving act, Scott Larsen was awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course, and used by Scott Larsen, contributed to helping save the victims' lives.
American Red Cross Health and Safety Services
American Red Cross Health and Safety Services
American Red Cross Aquatics
