Lifeguards in Duval, St. Johns counties help several swimmers in distress

Lifeguards in Northeast Florida were busy on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

Five people were rescued from the water on Jacksonville Beach, according to Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue Capt. Rob Emahiser.

Two of those people were pulled out of the water before lifeguards even came on duty at 10 a.m., Emahiser said. Multiple preventative measures, such as moving people out of the way before they got into a strong current, were also taken. Lifeguards also responded to one Man-o-War sting.

The lifeguards work up until 6 p.m. until June 6, when lifeguards' shifts become 10 hours long. Emahiser said while conditions at the beach have been bad, alert lifeguards working hard have been able to get the job done.

In St. Johns County, lifeguards responded to the following, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue:

-13 Swimmers in Distress (rescues)
-4 medical emergencies
-1 missing person (on land)
-1 trash can fire

Cox Media Group