Page 10

20298TB

T By Alaina Loughridge Tybee Island Ocean Rescue Jimmy and I had the absolute privilege and honor to sit down with members of the Tybee Island Ocean Rescue (not to mention the absolute delight in shooting the front cover with these fine men and women). We got to hear first-hand what they do on a day-to-day basis and how they save lives without even bragging about it. I can tell you right now, if either Jimmy or I saved a life, y’all would never ever hear the end of it. Ever. Well, these folks do it every day and don’t bat an eye. It’s what they do. So walking in, I know Jimmy and I were both totally thinking bad-ass Baywatch. Well, we were right. These people know their business and are all about it. We had a chance to get sunburnt with Captain Chad Osterlund, Lieutenant Michael McCumber, Lieutenant Justin Goldberg, and Senior Ocean Rescue members, Brandon Harvill and Stephen Knight. Let us give you the scoop: Tybee Island Ocean Rescue is a huge part of our lives. We live on the island where thousands of people come to sit in the surf, surf the tube dude, kayak, paddleboard and vacation. Water is our world. However, not many pay attention to how dangerous the waters can be. Tybee Island has one of the biggest tidal swings on the Eastern Sea Board. That means that the tide can shift before you know it. You want to walk over to Little Tybee for a picnic? Sure, the tide is out and it looks easy. The problem is that tide will swing back in before you know it, and you are going to be either stuck on Little Tybee or in for a major swim with rip tides that can kill you. It is very serious!! You think you can go for a light 8 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JULY 2017 By Alaina Loughridge & Jimmy Prosser swim out to sea? That water will turn on you in a heartbeat and you will tire out before you can make it back. Water don’t play people. Thankfully, we have people that are trained in this specific field. Every single member of TIOR is certified in CPR and Life Rescue. These people train every day, whether it be physical, medical or rescue, they are prepared to save you from whatever situation you may find yourself in. Not only do they respond to what is in front of them, these highly trained individuals respond to anything in their area that they can possibly be of assistance - medical emergencies for sure! I have seen that first hand! In our sit down with Chad, Michael and Justin, we asked them what was the craziest thing they have ever been a part of and they all had a story to tell: Gunshot wounds (just the once), lightning strikes (on actual human bodies), missing kids, looking for bodies in the water, overturned boats, people drowning, and everything else in between!!! Lightning strikes??? What??? Yep. Also, a proud record they hold is that they have never NOT found a child or a parent at the end of the day! Perfect record! When we chatted with the senior ocean rescue men, Stephen and Brandon, it was apparent that these gents take this job seriously. Both friendly, but it took a few minutes of joking to get these two dedicated men to open up. During the entire interview, we stood with our backs to the water as they constantly surveyed the beach and ocean behind us, looking for anyone in need of assistance. Once we were able to get these very serious professionals to open up, it was heartwarming. Two


20298TB
To see the actual publication please follow the link above