Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Near Drowning

Matt Boster

Viewed: 1885

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jul 08 2019 8:59 AM

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies say a 17-year old was swimming in the water behind the Eglin NCO Beach Club on Okaloosa Island Saturday afternoon and was observed struggling. His father went into the water to rescue him. The juvenile was pulled to the shore and an off duty nurse began CPR. The teen then began breathing. An OCSO Island Beach unit responded to the scene. The victim was transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center where at last word he was listed in critical condition. His name and other details were not available as of Sunday morning.

Thanks to bystanders, two nurses, the Okaloosa Island Fire Department, EMS, and Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, a 17-year old near drowning victim is expected to make a full recovery! Jhian Belen of Enterprise Alabama was swimming in the water behind the Eglin NCO Beach Club on Okaloosa Island around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon when he began struggling. The unconscious teen was pulled to the shore where two off duty nurses began two rounds of CPR. They say Belen then coughed up water and began breathing on his own. He was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and initially listed in critical condition, but Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies say Belen is now expected to fully recover. They say the outcome could have been much different if not for the intense lifesaving efforts of those involved.

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