From RCIPS

Around 8:30AM on Sunday, 6 December, the 9-1-1 Communications Centre dispatched emergency units to Pedro Bluff area, where a report of two persons in distress in the water had been received. Two men had been catching whelks that morning along the iron shore, and had been swept out to sea by large waves at an undetermined time. A couple that happened to be kite fishing in the area saw them struggling in the water and alerted 9-1-1.

Uniform police from Bodden Town and George Town responded to the area and were quickly joined by a rapid response team of two police officers trained in emergency medical response and certified in search-and-rescue diving, who had heard the 9-1-1 dispatch over the radio. Fire Department units also responded, providing much-needed flotation equipment and ropes. All responders worked together attempting to extend flotation devices and ropes to the men, who were treading water and responsive, in order to pull them ashore per rescue protocols, but choppiness of the water and rapid fatigue of the men required the police rescue divers to attach ropes to themselves and swim out to retrieve them. At this point the men were about 100 yards offshore. Due to the strong current, wave action and the condition of the stranded men, the police rescue divers were in the water for several minutes and were also assisted by those first responders onshore who pulled the victims and themselves in.

Both men, in their 40’s, were treated by EMS personnel on-site and elected not to go to the hospital. One man had swallowed salt water and had severe leg cramps by the time the police rescue divers had reached him.

We commend the excellent coordination of all first responders to the scene, including the 9-1-1 dispatchers, uniform police, police search-and-rescue divers, Fire Department personnel and EMS personnel, who demonstrated in this instance the coordination and training needed to make the right decisions at the right moment to save lives.

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IMAGE: Pedro Bluff www.wunderground.com