United Hatzalah’s AmbuBoat Skipper

Today, during our AmbuBoat shift, we responded to two separate emergencies involving young people who had to be pulled out of the Kinneret’s strong currents. The Sea of Galilee should never be underestimated. Its tranquil beaches are the scene of many seasonal medical emergencies.

Today’s first call involved a 19-year-old swimmer. While she was a competent swimmer, she had been trying to make her way back to the beach. Fighting against the current, the current quickly got the better of her. By the time we reached her, she was exhausted and panicking. Thankfully, we arrived before she could no longer stay afloat.

After pulling her to safety, we examined her and made sure she was in stable condition. Apart from the exhaustion and the understandable fear of what had happened, she was fine.

Later that day, we were called to assist another two youngsters, ages 17 and 14, who had drifted far from shore on paddleboards. They tried to row back, but after a while, every stroke became harder and harder. Before long, they knew the current had them beat too.

Tired and scared, we came to the rescue. Again, thankfully, they were physically unharmed. After being pulled back to shore safely, they were completely exhausted.

These may not sound like dramatic rescues. There was no need for resuscitation, no serious injury, and no emergency trip to the hospital.

But that’s precisely the point. We were there to prevent the disaster.

On the water, the difference between a frightening experience and a tragedy can be only a few minutes. When panic sets in, your body tenses up, your muscles weaken, and even an experienced swimmer is susceptible to drowning.

In both of these cases, we reached them before that moment arrived.

As first responders, we often speak about the lives we save through medical intervention. But as Aquatic First Responders with United Hatzalah Aquatic Unit, our lifesaving goal is to arrive before the need for treatment arises. It means being alerted to someone in need before exhaustion sets in and begins to drown. Because at that point, bringing them home safely becomes much more complicated.

These are the rescues that rarely make the headlines because we prevent the story from unfolding.

These are the stories of United Hatzalah Aquatic Unit volunteers.