Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams is being praised after helping rescue a swimmer in Santa Cruz, California, and is using the experience to raise awareness about the dangers of rip currents.
Williams credited a fellow lifeguard for assisting in the rescue and emphasized the importance of understanding ocean conditions before entering the water.
“I wish more people knew about ocean conditions and rip currents,” Williams said.
The teen also noted that lifeguards perform thousands of rescues along California’s coastline and around the world each day, describing such emergencies as a routine part of their job.
