Surfer Recalls Near-Drowning, Rescue

Ventura, CA (Ventura County Star) - More than a dozen names are on a list Ryan Johnson has compiled of the people who saved his life. Near the top of that list is the 17-year-old St. Bonaventure High School student who first saw him floating unconscious in the ocean off Silver Strand Beach and pulled him to shore. Another is the name of the off-duty Los Angeles County lifeguard-paramedic who started CPR on him that afternoon. The 38-year-old husband and father would eventually make a full recovery, but numerous tests and visits with medical professionals have not made it clear what caused Johnson to lose consciousness while he was surfing March 16. At first, those who came to his rescue thought he was a beginner surfer or his surfboard hit him in the head because he was found with a cut on his forehead. His wife, Naomi Stal, said that theory was quickly shot down. His doctors and the responding crews could tell from his surfboard and his wetsuit that he was no rookie. Johnson said he has been surfing since age 5, so he's pretty comfortable being in the water and frequently surfs by himself. "I've surfed waves 30-, 40-feet high all over the world," the Oxnard Shores resident said. He's been towed in to surf the tall, faster-moving waves and afterward has kissed the sand he walked in on because the conditions were so intense. "That day was so small and wasn't treacherous," he said. In fact, his wife said the doctors who saved him were surprised he made a ful...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Videos Patient Care Source Type: news