Beyond the Rescue: What One Rip Current Incident Teaches Us About Saving Lives
This episode features Sam Proffitt, Ocean Rescue Director for Wrightsville Beach, firefighter, paramedic, veteran lifeguard, researcher, and member of the International Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA). His work bridges frontline rescue operations and drowning research, including studies on drowning care, responder mental health, rip currents, and emergency messaging.
Also joining the conversation was Lt. Jamie Miess of Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue.
A recent high-profile rip current rescue featured on Good Morning America became the starting point for a far-reaching discussion about drowning prevention, emergency response, public education, data collection, lifeguard mental health, and the future of water safety.
The conversation began with a review of the rescue itself. Sam Proffitt, who responded to the incident, described arriving after reports of multiple swimmers in distress approximately 50–55 yards offshore. Rescuers made immediate contact with a child and recovered an unconscious adult who had become submerged. Initial treatment included five rescue breaths, chest compressions, CPR, police assistance, and transport to a trauma center.
The rescue also sparked a broader discussion about media coverage and public messaging. Participants noted that early news reports often contain inaccuracies because they rely on witness accounts collected during stressful and chaotic situations. Rather than focusing on sensational details, speakers argued that media coverage should emphasize prevention.
Rip currents emerged as a major focus of the discussion. Sam described an unusually busy three-week period during which lifeguards responded to approximately 60 rip-current-related incidents, illustrating how frequently lifeguards intervene before a situation becomes a drowning emergency. Lifeguards explained that many drownings occur on calm-looking days when beachgoers underestimate risk and fail to recognize the hazards beneath the surface.
The group emphasized that drowning is a process rather than a single event. Panic, increasing fatigue, loss of confidence, and physiological deterioration often occur long before a person submerges. Participants argued that public education should focus on helping people recognize the early stages of distress and understand how drowning develops.
A recurring theme throughout the conversation was the challenge of collecting accurate drowning data. Fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents remain underreported and inconsistently classified. Without better data on non-fatal drownings, it remains difficult to determine which interventions and treatments are most effective.
The discussion also explored practical prevention strategies. Speakers advocated simple, universal messaging, swimming near lifeguards, understanding warning flags, bringing flotation devices to unguarded beaches, and asking lifeguards about local conditions before entering the water. A central theme was that prevention efforts must reach visitors before they arrive at the beach.
The discussion also emphasized the value of flotation as a prevention tool. Lt. Jamie Mies discussed encouraging visitors to consider bringing a flotation device when visiting the beach, particularly when lifeguards are not present or when they are unfamiliar with local ocean conditions.
The conversation also examined water safety education programs, including junior guard programs, school outreach initiatives, and seasonal camps serving approximately 150–160 children each summer.
Another important topic was the mental health of lifeguards and first responders. Participants discussed the emotional toll associated with rescues, fatalities, and repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, highlighting concerns about PTSD and the need for stronger support systems.
The final portion of the discussion focused on research and innovation. Sam described a collaborative project with the University of North Carolina Wilmington that will use artificial intelligence to analyze approximately ten years of drone footage collected during rip-current events. Researchers hope the findings will help improve future safety messaging and better understand rip-current behavior.
The conversation also explored doctoral research examining how people process emergency messages and whether artificial intelligence can help tailor messages to specific audiences. With approximately 1,000–1,500 data points collected, the research seeks to identify factors that influence how people respond to safety information.
Regional collaboration was also discussed. Puerto Rico was highlighted as an example of a locally driven water-rescue and water-safety program that has grown through community leadership and partnerships. Participants discussed sharing regional plans and lessons learned, and Sam expressed interest in reviewing Hawaiʻi's Water Safety Plan to identify opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.
Looking ahead, participants agreed that technology—including AI-driven detection systems, autonomous rescue devices, drone surveillance, and personalized messaging—has tremendous potential to improve drowning prevention. However, they emphasized that technology should support lifeguards rather than replace them.
Ultimately, the discussion reinforced a simple but important lesson: every rescue offers an opportunity to learn. By improving data collection, strengthening public education, supporting first responders, expanding prevention programs, and embracing research and innovation, communities can move beyond reacting to emergencies and begin preventing them.
Every rescue tells a story. The challenge is making sure we learn from it before the next one happens.
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