Redwood National and State Parks (CA)
Rangers Rescue Drowning Man

California State Park ranger Mauricio Contreras and NPS ranger Paul Tibbetts rescued a distressed swimmer from the Smith River on August 29th. The 30-year-old Oregon man was swimming with friends near the Jedediah Smith campground picnic area when he disappeared in 20 feet of water. Contreras was one of the first rescuers in the water and worked with friends and bystanders to locate and bring the man to the surface. He was not breathing when he reached shore, so Tibbetts began and continued CPR until county ambulance personnel arrived and took over care. By the time he was transported to Sutter Coast Hospital, he had regained a pulse but was still not breathing on his own. He is currently in intensive care.