Wednesday July, 24 2013 @ 18:51:16

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: Indian River Inlet

Address: 26939 Coastal Hwy Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

On Wednesday evening, July 24th, the Indian River (80), Rehoboth Beach (86) and Bethany Beach (70) fire companies were alerted for a water rescue incident in the Indian River Inlet. It was reported to be a person in the water after swimming near the south side of the Inlet.

Emergency respond units from Indian River included Utility 80-8 with 80 Marine 1; Brush #80-0 with 80 Marine 2; as well as the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit, the United States Coast Guard - Indian River Squadron, the DNREC - Marine Units, and the Sussex County Paramedic.

It appears that a male subject was swimming in the water near the south side of the Inlet and was being pulled by the strong currents. Witnesses on-shore were constantly providing visual updates to the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center who was provided radio updates to responding emergency responders.

The Indian River Inlet does have life rings which an observer obtained and through out to the person in the water. The swimmer was able to hang on to the life ring and was pulled to safety. As a result of the quick thinking observer much of the emergency response was downgraded and Indian River’s marine unit response was cancelled while traveling to the incident.

Illustrated below is additional information regarding this incident:

• WBOC TV Channel 16

http://www.wboc.com/story/22941779/a-sussex-county-mans-life-saved-through-eagle-scout-project

A Sussex County Man's Life Saved Through Eagle Scout Project

An eagle scout project is credited with saving the life of a 25-year old Rehoboth man in Sussex County.

Firefighters with the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company say a man was swimming in the Indian River Inlet Wednesday night, when he was swept out to sea. A bystander beat emergency crews to the rescue, grabbing a life ring at rail of the outer wall of the inlet.

Emergency crews from the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Indian River VFC, Rehoboth Beach VFC, U.S. Coast Guard, and DNREC responded.

The man refused medical treatment from responding EMS.

The life rings were installed earlier this year in an eagle scout project by Jacob Martin, and because of them the swimmer was safely pulled to shore.

• News-Journal – www.delawareonline.com

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130803/NEWS/308030025/Stemming-deadly-tide

Stemming a deadly tide

Scout's Eagle project a lifesaver in Indian River Inlet

INDIAN RIVER INLET— Rashid Gafurov forever will be grateful for the birthday present he received from 18-year-old Eagle Scout Jacob Martin, of Ocean View.

At about 7 p.m. July 24, Gafurov, 25, ignored the warning of the little pink flag that divided the swimming area and the rocky whirlpool near the Indian River Inlet and struck out beyond the lifeguard tower.

That’s when he and his boogie board were sucked out toward the bridge by the current.

“I was thinking, ‘I’m gonna die,’ thinking about my family and how to fight the riptide,” said Gafurov, who is from Russia and has lived in Rehoboth Beach for five years.

The tide divided Gafurov from his board, and he struggled as the water funneled him underwater through the inlet at a rate of 9 knots. One of the most dangerous inlets on the eastern seaboard, Indian River has claimed countless lives.

But it would not claim Gafurov’s, as an unidentified good Samaritan spotted the struggling man and threw a life ring to him.

“That was my second birthday,” Gafurov said, who had turned 25 just days before the incident.

The ring was there to be thrown thanks to Martin, an Eagle Scout from Troop 281 in Ocean View. He installed three lifesaving rings on each side of the inlet for his Eagle Scout Service Project in 2012.

Martin had seen his father, Brian, a chief at Bethany Beach Fire Company and EMS volunteer for 16 years, try to save several victims in the inlet. Though some rescues succeeded, others failed because life rings were not accessible near the water.

One time, fishermen tried in vain to stretch out their poles toward a victim, but his hand slipped away.

“It was a really tense moment,” Martin said. “If they could have just thrown something to him, he could have easily been saved.”

Martin proposed the life ring idea to his father for his Eagle Scout project, a service project meant to live on in the community.

The year and a half long project would prove a massive undertaking.

Martin first received permission from the scout board and then persuaded the Army Corps of Engineers and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to allow his project. He also raised $6,000 with the help of the Lions Club and the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation.

(Page 2 of 2)

 

“I told them this is what I want to do, and if it saves one life, it was worth it,” Martin said.

Martin graduated high school and will attend the University of Delaware Department of Mechanical Engineering, but his project will continue to save lives. DNREC will provide for the upkeep of six life rings, accessible to anyone.

“It’s something the layman can use,” said Delaware Seashore State Park Superintendent Doug Long, who said more rings may be added at other areas in the future.

Martin’s mother, Jesika Martin, another EMS volunteer at Bethany, has heard rescue calls over the radio before but got choked up talking about Gafurov.

“To hear it come across the radio that he was pulled ashore, it’s our dream every time for that to happen,” she said.

Gafurov didn’t meet Jacob Martin until days after the rescue and didn’t know how to express his gratitude.

“I said, ‘Thank you, thank you,’ many times. I don’t know what else I can do for him. It’s a very good idea to have a life ring in such a dangerous spot,” Gafurov said.

Looking out toward the bridge, Gafurov had only one piece of advice for anyone who might try and repeat his mistake.

“You can’t fight it,” he said. “Mother Nature is much stronger than you are. Don’t do such a silly thing like I did.”

“I told them this is what I want to do, and if it saves one life, it was worth it,” Martin said.

Martin graduated high school and will attend the University of Delaware Department of Mechanical Engineering, but his project will continue to save lives. DNREC will provide for the upkeep of six life rings, accessible to anyone.

“It’s something the layman can use,” said Delaware Seashore State Park Superintendent Doug Long, who said more rings may be added at other areas in the future.

Martin’s mother, Jesika Martin, another EMS volunteer at Bethany, has heard rescue calls over the radio before but got choked up talking about Gafurov.

“To hear it come across the radio that he was pulled ashore, it’s our dream every time for that to happen,” she said.

Gafurov didn’t meet Jacob Martin until days after the rescue and didn’t know how to express his gratitude.

“I said, ‘Thank you, thank you,’ many times. I don’t know what else I can do for him. It’s a very good idea to have a life ring in such a dangerous spot,” Gafurov said.

Looking out toward the bridge, Gafurov had only one piece of advice for anyone who might try and repeat his mistake.

“You can’t fight it,” he said. “Mother Nature is much stronger than you are. Don’t do such a silly thing like I did.”