Carlsbad Teen Lifeguard Receives National Recognition for Oceanside Rescue

A Carlsbad teen who rescued a swimmer in Oceanside hours after becoming a lifeguard last year received the United States Lifesaving Association’s Meritorious Act Award Friday at Lake Mission Viejo.

Jennifer Mahin graduated the California State lifeguard academy in Carlsbad on June 30 and—hours later—came across a swimmer who had fallen off Oceanside’s north jetty into rough waters.

Mahin—who was 17 at the time—wasn’t able to pull the swimmer out, but strapped the swimmer to a flotation device Oceanside lifeguards had tossed her. The victim was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Read the full story: Teen Rescues Girl Hours After Becoming Lifeguard

In October, Mahin was awarded the  California State Firefighters’ Association Medal of Valor.