An 18-year-old who stopped breathing after being submerged in the lagoon at San Gregorio State Beach is alive because a bystander started CPR before firefighters could reach the remote coastline.

The teen had been underwater for at least two minutes on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 2, and was unconscious and not breathing when pulled from the water, Cal Fire CZU said in a post on X. Bystanders called 911 and began chest compressions immediately.

The CPR worked.

The teen regained breathing and consciousness before any of the seven agencies dispatched to the beach arrived, according to Patch. Cal Fire credited the outcome to bystanders who called 911 and began chest compressions before first responders could reach the remote beach.

Multi-agency response

Seven agencies mobilized for the call: Cal Fire CZU, Coastside Fire Protection District, San Mateo County Fire, the La Honda Volunteer Fire Brigade, American Medical Response, California State Parks and REACH Air Medical Services.

A Cal Fire helicopter was photographed hovering over the lagoon during the response. The teen was transported to a local hospital and reported in stable condition, according to Bay City News via SFGate.

Authorities have not identified the teen or disclosed how the person became submerged.

A beach with no lifeguards

San Gregorio State Beach sits 10.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1. The park includes a protected estuary and lagoon behind a wide sandy beach. California State Parks warns on its website that the water is very cold year-round and that strong rip currents can pull even experienced swimmers offshore.

The beach has no lifeguard service. State Parks advises beachgoers to call 911 in an emergency and notes that only professionally trained rescuers should attempt in-water rescues.