Lifeguards save 2 from surf

Lifeguards made two rescues and issued more than 600 warnings to keep people safe during a high-surf advisory yesterday on Oahu's North and West shores.

The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. today, the National Weather Service said.

Bryan Cheplic, Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokesman, said the swell peaked yesterday morning on the North Shore with waves with 18-foot faces.

The first rescue was a near drowning at Alii Beach Park in Haleiwa at 11:21 a.m. Lifeguards brought in a man who was overcome by 12- to 15-foot waves, Cheplic said. Paramedics treated and released him.

Less than an hour later, a lifeguard pulled an unresponsive teenager out of the shore break at Ke Iki Beach. The lifeguard performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and revived the teen, Cheplic said.

Paramedics took the boy to the hospital in serious condition.