US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves 165 in Texas Floods

Rescue Mission at Camp Mystic

• 🌊 Scott Ruskan, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and his team were tasked with airlifting 165 campers trapped at Camp Mystic during severe flooding in Texas.
• 🚁 The mission involved battling extreme weather conditions, with the crew making four attempts to reach Kerrville before successfully landing at the camp.
• 💡 Ruskan made the decision to stay on the ground to facilitate organization and triage, while the rest of his crew airlifted 15 children from a more dangerous location.

Comforting Traumatized Children

• 😥 Ruskan described the scene as traumatic, with many children experiencing the worst day of their lives, disoriented and separated from loved ones.
• 🗣️ He focused on reassuring the children, letting them know his primary objective was to get them to safety, despite limited communication with the outside world.
• 👟 Camp counselors shared stories of their own bravery, such as throwing children out of windows and carrying them to safety due to the rising floodwaters and lack of shoes.

Professionalism Amidst Danger

• ⚠️ Ruskan acknowledged the inherent dangers but pushed aside personal fear, emphasizing his role as a rescue professional and the training he received.
• 🤝 He highlighted the professionalism and bravery of all rescuers on the scene, describing them as some of the best individuals he has worked with.

Humility in Heroism

• ⭐ Despite being hailed as a hero by the Department of Homeland Security and receiving widespread praise, Ruskan expressed humility.
• 🇺🇸 He stated that he is just a person who chose to enlist in the Coast Guard and that anyone can do this job by raising their right hand.
• 🙏 Ruskan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help people and for the media's role in highlighting the efforts of various agencies involved in the rescue.