When
Eric Care, a City of San Diego lifeguard sergeant, got the call that a man four
miles north of his location along Torrey Pines State Beach was in cardiac
arrest, there wasn’t time to think. All he could do was react.
“For
every minute a heart attack victim goes without a pulse, the chances of
recovery drop 10pc,” says Care. “Fortunately, I knew exactly where he was and
what I’d have to do to get there,” he says.
Care
and his team jumped into a Toyota Tundra Crew Max 4x4, proceeded across one
stretch of beach and then powered through a pile of large loose rocks to get to
the next stretch, where the victim was receiving CPR from a heroic passerby.
After
administering three shocks with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Care
was able to restore the victim’s pulse. Then his team loaded the victim into
the Tundra’s bed where they continued to perform CPR while Care retraced his
steps through the treacherous terrain to a place where paramedics could whisk
him away to a hospital.
“When
I got to the rocks, I just aimed for the high spots, gave it the gas and
somehow got through,” he says, adding, “The combination of a good motor, good
rubber and plenty of ground clearance made the difference. I was never so
relieved to have such a good truck under me.”
Safe practice
While
locals and tourists focus on miles of coast lined with gorgeous sands, San
Diego lifeguards focus on safe practices in the water and on the beach.
Toyota celebrated the start of the summer
beach season by announcing its continued support of the San Diego Lifeguards
and their Water Safety Days programme, emphasising safe practices in the water
and on the beach. The partnership
includes a donation of 34 brand-new Toyota trucks and SUVs to the city for
lifeguard rescue and operations.
Toyota began its partnership with the City of
San Diego’s lifeguards in 2011, including the donation of Toyota vehicles for
the lifeguards’ use, supporting the city’s ability to serve and protect area
beachgoers.
The
new vehicles arriving to the fleet include 15 Tacomas, 12 Tundras, three
4Runners, three Sequoias and a RAV4.
With five different Toyota models in the new fleet, the lifeguards will
have access to vehicles that offer a variety of abilities. The Tacoma and
4Runner will help lifeguards with navigating effectively and safely through
soft sand and rocky beach terrains, while the Tundra and Sequoia also add
heavy-duty water craft towing capability.
In
honour of National Water Safety Month, Toyota joined San Diego Mayor Kevin L.
Faulconer, along with Council member Ed Harris, San Diego City Lifeguard Chief
Rick Wurts and San Diego City Fire Chief Javier Mariner, in Mission Beach to
dedicate the new lineup of vehicles.
“San
Diego is one of the country’s most popular beach destinations, and Toyota
recognizes the critical role the city’s lifeguards play in keeping our beaches
safe,” said Doug Eroh, Toyota Motor Sales Los Angeles Region general
manager. “We are committed to ensuring
San Diego has the best available resources to do that, along with educating
this great community and its visitors on water safety,” he said
“San
Diego’s lifeguards perform vital services to San Diego residents and visitors
every day. Water Safety Days and our
partnership with Toyota are a part of our City’s commitment to creating safer
beaches for San Diego families and visitors to enjoy,” Mayor Faulconer said.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation