By the edhat staff
A surfer died from a medical emergency while in the ocean off Guadalupe Beach Friday morning.
At 9:32 a.m., Santa Barbara County and Guadalupe Firefighters, State Parks officials, Sheriff’s Deputies, and a ground ambulance responded to the beach off the Dunes Preserve for a report of an unconscious surfer.
Upon arrival they discovered the surfer, a 70-year-old man, had potentially suffered a heart attack.
Bystanders and fellow surfers, including an off-duty nurse, pulled the man to shore and immediately began CPR. A CalStar helicopter was also called as firefighter paramedics and Emergency Medical Services took over CPR.
Unfortunately, after all resuscitation efforts were exhausted, the man was pronounced dead. His identity has yet to be released.
“Thanks to all citizens that assisted to save the life of their fellow waterman,” said County Fire Captain Scott Safechuck.
Photo: SBCFD