{"id":360990,"date":"2026-08-02T21:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T21:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/360990\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T21:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T21:04:16","slug":"child-is-pulled-unconscious-from-ocean-in-florida-as-heroic-lifeguards-speak-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/360990\/","title":{"rendered":"Child is pulled unconscious from ocean in Florida as heroic lifeguards speak out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Another dramatic rescue of a young life has taken place this summer as strong ocean waves and powerful tides continue to prove challenging for vacationers and travelers.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Two lifeguards at <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406087\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/travel\/general\/beach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Silver Beach<\/a> in Volusia County, Florida, are being credited with lifesaving action on July 30.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Lifeguard Dempsey Manhart was just about to take his lunch break, he said, when the family of a young child flagged him down, frantically waving for help, as <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406088\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox35orlando.com\/news\/volusia-county-lifeguards-save-5-year-old-boy-pulled-unconscious-from-ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">FOX 35 Orlando<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406089\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/california-lifeguard-speaks-heartstopping-ocean-rescue-love-what-do\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">CALIFORNIA LIFEGUARD SPEAKS OUT ON HEARTSTOPPING OCEAN RESCUE: \u2018I LOVE WHAT I DO\u2019<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The boy was unconscious and was being held in the arms of a family member, Manhart recalled.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He began helping to bring the boy in from the water when his co-lifeguard, Mackenzie Malone, arrived beside him and checked the boy\u2019s pulse \u2014 at which point the lifeguards immediately <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406090\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/healthy-living\/childrens-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">began CPR on the child<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lifeguard-at-beach-running.jpg\" alt=\"lifeguard running at beach\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Two lifeguards at Silver Beach in Volusia County, Florida (not pictured), are being credited with saving the life of a 5-year-old child who was pulled unconscious from the ocean on July 30. (iStock)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Malone, who&#8217;s been working as a lifeguard for her fourth summer, told FOX 35 this was the first time she experienced saving a child from drowning.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;We\u2019re always expecting anything,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We\u2019re always prepared. We always make sure that we know what to do no matter what the scenario is.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters?cmpid=fnfirstnl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">She said the moment her co-lifeguard shouted to her that he was <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406092\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/travel\/general\/travel-safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">going on a rescue<\/a>, &#8220;I knew that it was going to be serious.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Then everything kicked up a notch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FL-ocean.jpg\" alt=\"Florida Hot Water\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Swimmers are pictured enjoying the Atlantic Ocean at Hollywood Beach, Florida. Another dramatic rescue of someone struggling in the ocean this summer has just taken place. (AP Photo\/Wilfredo Lee)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The moment I saw that [the child] was unconscious, that he had a wound on his head \u2026 I knew that it was going to be something big.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The duo began performing CPR on the child.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">In short order, he began breathing on his own again.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/busy-beach-lifeguard-watching.jpg\" alt=\"Florida beach packed with people walking and playing.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>A lifeguard (not pictured) in her fourth summer on the job said the rescue marked the first time she had saved a child from drowning. (Paul Hennessy\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Malone later said her lifeguarding and life-saving training kicked in.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Thankfully, it ended up in a positive direction,&#8221; she told FOX 35. &#8220;I\u2019m just very grateful that [with] everything we followed, it worked out and that [the boy] actually is able to have a life and <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406093\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/topic\/family-and-friends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">come home to a family<\/a>.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406094\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\/quizzes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The lifeguards said they hope the rescue of the child provides a reminder for beachgoers to swim near staffed lifeguard towers \u2014 where trained responders can provide immediate assistance in an emergency.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Heroes!! I am grateful to learn just how well-trained beach lifeguards are,&#8221; wrote a Facebook user about the Florida beach rescue.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lifeguard-recalls-saving-child-florida.jpg\" alt=\"Mackenzie Malone lifeguard in Florida.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Mackenzie Malone, pictured here, described jumping into action to save a boy who nearly drowned in the ocean recently. She was one of the lifeguards responsible for saving the child&#8217;s life. (FOX 35 WOFL)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Volusia County is about 50 miles northeast of Orlando, in the east-central region of Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406095\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/faith-values\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">&#8220;God bless their strength,&#8221;<\/a> wrote another person.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The rescue of the 5-year-old boy comes shortly after the heroic rescue of another child, this one by <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406096\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6402635254112\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams<\/a> in Santa Cruz, California. Williams braved pounding surf and massive waves to bring a struggling 10-year-old boy safely back to shore, as Fox News Digital reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;God bless their strength.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">President Donald Trump has <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406097\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6402610240112\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">invited the teen lifeguard<\/a> to the White House to celebrate his brave actions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406098\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Fox News Digital previously reported that Los Angeles County lifeguards <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_travel_article_main-content_article-body_6_406099\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/travel\/nearly-2000-ocean-rescues-occur-dangerous-surf-slams-popular-beaches-summer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">performed nearly 2,000 ocean rescues<\/a> during a single weekend this summer as elevated surf and dangerous rip currents swept Southern California beaches.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Officials have encouraged visitors to speak with lifeguards about ocean conditions before entering the water.<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/people-swimming-los-angeles-beach.jpg\" alt=\"Crowd of people swimming and taking photos at the beach.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Lifeguards and water safety experts continue reminding beachgoers to check ocean conditions before entering the water. (Mario Tama\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Swimmers caught in a rip current are advised not to fight it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Instead, they should remain calm, swim parallel to the shoreline until they escape the current, then angle back toward shore,\u00a0according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Those who cannot escape should float or tread water and signal for help.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Another dramatic rescue of a young life has taken place&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":360991,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[18380,147003,28,30,29,555,22203,107,49780],"class_list":["post-360990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-florida","tag-childrens-health","tag-family-and-friends","tag-florida","tag-florida-headlines","tag-florida-news","tag-lifestyle","tag-oceans","tag-travel","tag-travel-safety"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=360990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360990\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=360990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=360990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=360990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}