SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA)— In May, Landon Lacy, an off-duty lifeguard with the Sarasota County Fire Department, demonstrated remarkable bravery by rescuing two swimmers from treacherous rip currents at Venice Beach.
While off duty, Lacy noticed a person rushing to the water with flotation devices and quickly responded to a Pulse Point notification regarding a water rescue.
Upon arrival, he found two swimmers struggling against the relentless rip currents, prompting him to act immediately.
“Even being off duty, I knew that I couldn’t watch somebody drown or submerge and be in that situation, so I took action and went,” Lacy recounted.
Lacy first swam out to rescue one swimmer, bringing them safely back to shore. He then borrowed a rescue board to assist the second swimmer, remaining with them until more help arrived.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office provided aerial assistance, directing rescue efforts due to the challenging water conditions.
Both swimmers received on-scene treatment from Venice Fire Rescue.
Lacy pointed out the importance of staying calm and seeking help when caught in a rip current, stressing the dangers inherent in these situations.
“I’m glad we were able to work together to get the swimmers to safety,” said Lacy. “This is why rip currents are dangerous. They will pull you out quickly. It’s essential to stay calm and call out for help in these situations.”
If you find yourself trapped in a rip current, remember to:
- Remain calm
- Signal for help
- Swim parallel to shore until you escape the current
- Swim diagonally toward the shoreline
Landon Lacy’s swift action and courage reflect the dedication of Sarasota County lifeguards, ensuring the safety of beachgoers—even when off duty. His heroic efforts not only saved lives but also highlighted the critical need for rip current awareness.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WFLA. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WFLA staff before being published.
Key Information
- Event: Lifeguard rescue of swimmers from rip currents
- Location: Venice Beach, Sarasota County, Florida
- Hero: Landon Lacy, off-duty lifeguard
- Rescue actions: Rescued 2 swimmers; utilized flotation devices and a rescue board
- Aerial support: Provided by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
- Treatment: On-scene by Venice Fire Rescue
- Key safety tips for rip currents: Remain calm, signal for help, swim parallel to shore, swim diagonally toward the shoreline
Article original publish date: 2025-08-01 12:00:00
Article source: www.wfla.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.wfla.com
