{"id":33122,"date":"2025-08-03T21:42:32","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T21:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=33122"},"modified":"2025-08-03T21:42:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T21:42:32","slug":"it-was-his-first-rescue-flight-yet-he-managed-to-save-165-lives-on-day-1-ternanews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=33122","title":{"rendered":"It was his first rescue flight\u2014yet he managed to save 165 lives on Day 1. – TernaNews"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hero in the Storm: Coast Guard Swimmer Saves 165 on First-Ever Mission<\/h1>\n

A Symbol of Hope Amid Catastrophe<\/h3>\n

In the heart of the devastating floods that swept through Central Texas over the July 4 weekend, one name emerged as a symbol of courage and hope:\u00a0Petty Officer Scott Ruskan<\/strong>. On his very first mission as a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, the 26-year-old saved an astonishing\u00a0165 lives<\/strong>, many of them children, seniors, and campers stranded in rapidly rising waters.<\/p>\n

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Disaster Strikes at Camp Mystic<\/h3>\n

The torrential rainfall caused the\u00a0Guadalupe River to surge<\/strong>, trapping hundreds at\u00a0Camp Mystic<\/strong>, a summer retreat in Kerr County, Texas. As floodwaters swallowed roads and cabins, panic grew among those cut off from safety. Emergency calls poured in, prompting a multi-agency rescue effort.<\/p>\n

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Ruskan, stationed in\u00a0Corpus Christi<\/strong>, was quickly dispatched. He and his team boarded helicopters in dangerous weather conditions, flying low across flooded terrain to reach the camp. What followed was a rescue operation unlike any he\u2019d trained for\u2014one that would test not only his skills, but his endurance and heart.<\/p>\n

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Boots on the Ground, Calm in the Chaos<\/h3>\n

Once on-site, Ruskan didn\u2019t hesitate. He jumped into action\u2014triaging evacuees, organizing airlifts, and physically assisting people<\/strong>\u00a0onto helicopters. In group after group, children clung to counselors, seniors waded through water, and parents carried infants, all under Ruskan\u2019s watchful eye.<\/p>\n

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Over several hours, he personally helped coordinate the rescue of\u00a0165 individuals<\/strong>. In an interview, he humbly credited the bravery of the camp counselors and the cooperation of the evacuees: \u201cThe real heroes were the kids and staff on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

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