Lifeguard gets profession's highest honor

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. - JENSEN BEACH — The Martin County lifeguard who rescued a kiteboarder from a shark attack received a national medal for his actions.

Lifeguard Dan Lund Thursday morning received the Medal of Valor award from the U.S. Lifesaving Association for his actions on Feb. 3 to save Stephen H. Schafer, who was kiteboarding near Stuart Beach. Schafer died later that day.

"I'm extremely honored to receive the award," Lund said.

The medal is the highest award given to a surf lifeguard who voluntarily risks his or her life in saving or attempting to save another person, said Gerry Falconer, president of the association's southeast region.

Schafer, 38, was bitten by a shark while kiteboarding about a quarter of a mile off Stuart Beach. Lund, on a rescue board, paddled out to Schafer, who was bleeding in shark-infested waters. Lund wrapped Schafer in the canopy of the kiteboard and placed him on a rescue board and paddled to the beach.

"I was thinking, this will kind of make us look more intimidating," to the sharks, Lund said. "It also helped to keep him afloat."

Schafer was taken to the hospital, where he died.

"Dan did everything possible to save Mr. Schafer," Falconer said. "Even though Mr. Schafer died, he wasn't alone out there. Dan was able to get to him and provide some sort of initial first aid and comfort."

Officials said Lund's actions showed the public that being a lifeguard is not all glamour as seen in images from the 1990s-era television show "Baywatch," about Los Angeles County lifeguards in California.

"The reality is when you come to the beach, the lifeguards are here to see that you are protected," Falconer said.

In the months after the rescue, Lund appeared on several television news shows discussing the ordeal, including "The Today Show" and Fox news shows.

But the attention hasn't changed him, said Martin County Fire Rescue Chief Joe Ferrara.

"He's just a straight-up guy," he said.

After the ceremony, Lund didn't take the day off. Instead, he planned to put on his red swim trunks, grab a buoy and binoculars and get to work.

"I can't imagine doing anything else," he said.

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