GULF SHORES — Gulf Shores Fire Rescue lifeguards rescued a swimmer on Tuesday after spotting him in distress.
Lifeguards in the area of Gulf Place made contact with the man who swam well beyond the buoys. They were able to rescue him and pull him onto shore after dispatching a fire department jet ski.
"I was just training for a triathlon," the swimmer told 1819 News as he came ashore.
Exhausted and out of breath, the swimmer safely left the area.
Beach Safety Chief Joe Ethan Phillips said the lifeguards spotted the man because they were vigilant and looking out for beachgoers.
"The city is committed to providing lifeguards," Phillips said. "People come down here and they don't know what they're getting themselves into, so having a lifeguard present and to have them there where they can come talk to a lifeguard and ask questions, that's major."
Gulf Shores Fire Rescue responds to around 300 water rescue calls every year.
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