Kary L. Hodge helped to save Betty R. Kindley from drowning, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, June 25, 2006. Kindley, 55, was wading in the Atlantic Ocean with a friend when a rip current developed and swept both women a far distance from shore. Kindley held to her friend, who could not swim. Hodge, 28, activities assistant, was on the beach in the vicinity when she became aware of the situation. Although she could not see the victims, due to their distance from shore and rough surf, she immediately entered the water and began to swim out for them, as did others. She reached Kindley after sighting her en route, joining another woman who was the only other person to reach the victims. Coached by Hodge and the other woman, Kindley swam toward shore. After several minutes, when the women were about 300 feet from shore, a responding firefighter arrived on a personal watercraft and, with Kindley aboard, took the women to safety. The women were nearly exhausted after the rescue, and they recovered.
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