MSN_081618

malibusurfsidenews.com NEWS
Malibu surfside news | August 16, 2018 | 13
Zuma Beach lifeguard
awarded Medal of Valor
Submitted by International
Surf Festival
Photo Op
Zuma Beach Ocean Lifeguard
Joseph Rickabaugh
was among eight Los Angeles
County Fire Department
Ocean Lifeguards
recently honored for demonstrating
extraordinary
and exemplary bravery in
the line of duty and while
off-duty.
Rickabaugh was presented
with the Medal of
Valor, the evening’s highest
honor.
On May 24, while enjoying
3- to 5-foot surf at Ventura’s
County Line Beach,
Ocean Lifeguard Joe Rickabaugh
heard screams for
help and observed a surfer
floating motionless in the
surf, roughly 100 yards
away. Though off-duty,
Rickabaugh immediately
paddled toward the victim.
Upon arrival, he took command
of the incident, and
with the help of nearby
surfers placed the victim —
who regained consciousness,
but complained of
no feeling or movement in
his arms and legs — on a
surfboard and paddled him
to shore. Rickabaugh provided
appropriate medical
treatment until the arrival
of paramedics. He also assisted
in the extrication of
the surfer off the beach to
awaiting responders, where
the victim was airlifted to a
local trauma center. Rickabaugh’s
quick-response
and outstanding ocean
skills enabled him to return
the victim to shore in the
safest manner. Rickabaugh
also took the extra step of
bringing the injured surfer’s
surfboard up the hill,
so it could be secured in a
Zuma Beach Ocean
Lifeguard Joseph
Rickabaugh. Adam Sandler/
International Surf Festival
car and not left down on the
beach.
The Medal of Valor,
Distinguished Service and
Lifetime Achievement
awards were handed out
by LA County Fire Chief
Daryl Osby, LA County
Supervisor Janice Hahn,
and Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi
during a ceremony
held at the Redondo Beach
Seaside Lagoon.
The Medal of Valor ceremony
was the official
kick-off for the 56th annual
International Surf Festival,
four days of events held in
Manhattan, Hermosa and
Redondo Beach, featuring
surfing, volleyball, sand
runs, paddleboard races, an
ocean swim and two nights
of Ocean Lifeguards competing
in various lifesaving
events.
For more information,
visit surffestival.org.
Malibu’s Elissa Hoye shared this photo of the sky over the ocean.
Want your photo to appear in our newspaper? Email lauren@malibusurfsidenews.com.
THE INDUSTRY’S FINEST HIGH-END LUXURY
ADDICTION TREATMENT FACILITY
LIVE THE LIFE YOU WERE ALWAYS MEANT TO LIVE
CLIFFSIDEMALIBU.COM