South Lake Tahoe emergency responders rescue man drowning at Tahoe Keys

A man who nearly drowned earlier this week at Lake Tahoe in the Tahoe Keys owes his life to those who saw him struggle and dialed 911, and members of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and El Dorado County Search and Rescue team that swam in and saved him.

Witnesses on Monday saw the man in trouble while he was swimming near the boat docks and called 911. South Lake Tahoe Fire Department responded and was escorted out to where the man was seen swimming, said Fire Chief Bruce Martin.

El Dorado County Search and Rescue member Dan Schmidt and South Lake Tahoe Fire Department personnel witnessed the man go under as they were approaching and dove in, the chief reports.

They swam down approximately 10 feet and retrieved the man then pulled him onto the boat. They then used an Auto-Pulse, a new piece of equipment acquired recently by the South Lake Tahoe and Lake Valley ambulances. This equipment, bought by the Cal Tahoe JPA, is designed to provide mechanical compressions to patients requiring CPR.

The near drowning victim was revived with CPR as he was transported the hospital and eventually flown to Renown in Reno. He experienced a full recovery and was since released, said chief Martin.