By Jeff Lipton
The wishes of both Atlantic Beach teens came true last week when they passed the village lifeguard exam after a strenuous training regimen. But they had already passed a real-life test days earlier, when they dashed into the water to rescue swimmers who were screaming for help.
Watkins, 17, fellow lifeguard-in-training Justice, 18, and Joe Nadel, 19, of Cedarhurst, who's in his second year as a lifeguard, were enjoying a sunny day at a village beach on Dutchess Boulevard June 13 when, at about 2 p.m., they spotted two young men struggling in the water more than 100 yards offshore.
"They were way out there," said Watkins. "They were way past the sandbar and they got caught up in the current. We heard people screaming, and everyone on the beach said people were drowning."
"When I heard people screaming in the water, my reaction was to jump in and get them," said Justice, who graduates from Lawrence High School this month and will attend Johnson & Wales College in Providence, R.I. "I'm no hero. I just wanted to jump in the water and help a kid."
Neil Metz, chief of the Atlantic Beach Fire/Water Rescue Squad, said the tide was low, which allowed the victims to venture way beyond the jetties. Justice and Nadel ran into the water, while Watkins sprinted back to the lifeguard station to get a rescue board. Watkins said later that it might have been impossible for the rescuers to swim to safety without the board, since they were exhausted after spending about 15 minutes in the water reaching the victims.
One of the victims managed to swim ashore, where he was treated by Nat Etrog and David Woolfe of the Atlantic Beach Water Rescue Squad. "He appeared to have swallowed some water and was in shock," Watkins said. He was treated for hypothermia at Long Beach Medical Center and released the same day, according to Metz. The other victim was rescued with the board, and refused medical aid, Metz added.
The Long Beach Fire Department Water Rescue Unit also responded, as well as the Marine Bureau and the Aviation Unit of the Nassau County Police Department.
"I think it's fantastic," Metz said of the rescue. "That's what it's all about in Atlantic Beach: helping out in situations that are potentially a hazard to someone." He lauded Watkins's presence of mind in getting the rescue board.
"[The victims] were going down," said Watkins's mother, Joann, who was told of her son's quick-thinking actions. "They would have drowned if he didn't go back and get the board.
"When I got a phone call about what my son did, I was speechless because I was so proud of him," said Mrs. Watkins, whose two other sons, Rory, 22, and Jack, 19, are both lifeguards. "Everyone in the neighborhood was congratulating us. It's a nice feeling."
The Watkins family has lived on the beach for about 30 years, and it was essential that the boys learn to swim at a young age to keep them safe near the water. Rob began learning to swim at age 2. "I've been in the water all my life," he said.
Of her son, who stands 6 feet 2, Ms. Watkins said, "He's calm, quick and can think under pressure."
The 17-year-old said he could not stand by while someone was screaming for help. "If I were in trouble in the water and drowning, I would hope someone would do the same for me," he said.
Even though not many swimmers have needed to be rescued in Atlantic Beach waters over the years, Watkins knows he must always be prepared. "You never know when someone will need help," he said.
Lifeguards were not on duty at the time of the incident, because the beach season in Atlantic Beach does not officially start until Saturday. Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or 569-4000 ext. 210.
