Martin County Employee Rescues Girls from Rip Current at Bob Graham Beach

A Martin County employee saved three girls from a dangerous rip current at Bob Graham Beach in Jensen Beach on Thursday afternoon. Amy Offenbach, an employee of Martin County's Growth and Development Department and an avid surfer, noticed the girls struggling about 25 yards offshore around 2 p.m. She became concerned when one girl appeared distressed and another seemed agitated.

A girl on the beach alerted Offenbach that her friends needed help. "By that time the girls were waving in the water like they needed help, so immediately I just went into rescue mode," Offenbach said.

Offenbach and a friend paddled to the girls. Offenbach found one girl in serious distress, describing her as "dazed and confused." She instructed two girls to hold onto her surfboard and kick toward shore while she placed the third girl on her own soft-top board and paddled her to safety.

Offenbach, who has some lifeguard training, drove the rescued girl to a nearby lifeguard station. The girl reported blacking out underwater, inhaling water, and experiencing a severe headache. An ambulance was called.

Offenbach encourages beachgoers to check rip current forecasts, understand ocean conditions before entering the water, and swim at guarded beaches when possible. She also advises using flotation devices.