Man in grave condition following near-drowning at Venice Beach

VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 28-year-old man was rushed to a hospital in grave condition Thursday after nearly drowning in the waters off Venice Beach.

Los Angeles Fire Department officials responded to a possible drowning near Tower 19 in the 1900 block of Ocean Front Walk at about 6:19 p.m.

The unidentified man was pulled from the water by lifeguards following a 30-minute search and carried across the sand into an ambulance. Emergency responders immediately began performing chest compressions.

Chris Linkletter of the Los Angeles County Fire Lifeguard Division says the man had entered the water with two other friends, and the three shortly became trapped in a rip current.

"They were able to get to two of the victims, the third one submerged as lifeguards arrived," Linkletter said.

The victim was transported to Marina Del Rey Hospital, where he was listed in grave condition.

Lifeguards says the victim's story should be a warning to beachgoers about rip currents and other dangers.

"This coming weekend, Labor Day weekend, we're due for some bigger surf which means more rip currents, lateral currents," Linkletter said.

Dramatic GoPro video shot by California lifeguards shows a woman struggling to stay afloat in the waters off the coast of Huntington Beach last weekend.

"You really need to know when to call it quits. If the waves look too big, you feel like you could be challenged out there, stay in close to shore," said Huntington Beach Marine Safety Lt. Claude Panis.

Lifeguards reported more than 1,200 rescues last weekend statewide.

"We really need the public when they come down to the beach to check in with the lifeguards and find out the best place to swim," Linkletter said.

The National Weather Service says rip currents can move up to eight feet per second. If you get caught in one, don't fight it, swim parallel to the shore and head back to land at an angle.