San Diego Surfer Reunited With First Responders, Medical Team Who Saved His Life

SAN DIEGO, CA — A reunion held Thursday at an Ocean Beach art gallery gave a local surfer the opportunity to see first responders and medical staff for the first time since the day they helped save his life at Sunset Cliffs.

According to a news release from UC San Diego Health, it was a Saturday morning in July when Dave Schroeder was surfing with a friend off Sunset Cliffs. About an hour in, he decided to swim toward the shore, and that’s the last thing he remembers. What happened next is billed as an incredible and life-saving collaborative effort to save the father of two.

Bystanders called 911 when they noticed Schroeder’s lifeless body being pulled off the rocks and back into the waves. His friend was reportedly able to swim up to Schroeder and keep his head out of the water until police officers arrived and started CPR.

Shortly after, lifeguards arrived on scene to help with the efforts and guide a fire-rescue helicopter over the challenging cliffs to Schroeder, who was then airlifted to UC San Diego Health’s Level 1 Trauma Center.

"I had a major cardiac event that day," said Schroeder, who is now back to his daily activities. "I owe everything to the rescue team, starting with my friend who initially kept me from drowning, and then to the first responders and trauma surgeons. I am truly honored to be able to reunite with and thank everyone who helped give me a tomorrow."

Dr. Laura Godat, a surgeon at UC San Diego Health, credited everyone involved with the county's trauma system.

"When Dave arrived to our trauma center, he was in critical condition; unresponsive and required assistance with his breathing," Godat said. "However, less than 24 hours later, he was awake and able to breathe on his own. His outcome can be attributed to San Diego County’s trauma system. Our multi-disciplinary team is closely aligned with 911 operators, EMS, trauma surgeons, nurses and other specialists ready to respond at a moment’s notice to serve the people in our community."

Steve Vandewalle, a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department helicopter paramedic who responded to the scene, agreed.

"There were a lot of links to the chain, and every link was important," Vandewalle said. "Dave’s rescue is a testament to all the agencies involved that a man can be in full cardiac arrest in our city’s surf and now be at home with his family."

Photos courtesy of UC San Diego Health