Martin County deputies rescue man attempting suicide at Stuart’s Bathtub Beach
“This isn’t happening today”: Martin County deputies, lifeguards, and marine units saved a man who tried to end his life by swimming far out into the ocean at Bathtub Beach in Stuart
STUART, Fla. —
Martin County deputies, lifeguards, and marine units worked together to save a man attempting to end his life by swimming far out into the ocean at Bathtub Beach in Stuart on Sunday afternoon.
Deputies were dispatched to the beach after receiving a call from the suicide hotline, where the man said he had “made the final decision to end his life.”
“My biggest thing was stopping him from continuing to swim further into the ocean,” Deputy John Wilkes said. “Because once I arrived on scene, they had already swam out to them and if I had to put a number on it, they were probably 300-plus yards from the shore.”
Sergeant Nicholas Castoro described the man’s emotional state.
“He was obviously in a very distressed emotional state; he was in a lot of need. He advised that he was having some relationship issues. Issues with his direct family,” Castoro said.
Wilkes explained how the training the sheriff’s office requires helped deputies during the rescue.
“Crisis intervention training, which helps us learn how to kind of deal with somebody that’s dealing with a mental health crisis or substance abuse or something along those lines, definitely helped us all that day,” Wilkes said.
The man continued swimming out into the ocean with no intention of returning. Lifeguards on duty tried to save him, but he resisted.
“I think he kind of said that the ocean was peaceful for him, and he just said he wanted to swim out until he got tired,” Castoro said.
Before deputies helped the man get on the boat, Castoro said he built a rapport with him and encouraged him to keep living.
“We were able to relate over being fathers, and you know that it can be tough being a man and having emotions, especially expressing those emotions or seeking the help that you need,” Castoro said. “Having children and pushing on for our children, and hopefully that’ll get him through his time of need.”
Wilkes said the man began to realize the support around him.
“He would kind of look back at me and realize, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of people out here trying to help me right now,’ and I think that’s what really is what changed his demeanor and said this is the wrong decision, I’m not doing this today,” Wilkes said.
After the man decided to get on the boat, he was transported to the hospital, where he was medically cleared in the emergency room. He was later placed under a law enforcement Baker Act due to some of the statements he made.
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