News

‘An American Hero’: Kristi Noem Praises Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer For Braving Texas Floodwaters

"This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene."

   DailyWire.com
‘An American Hero’: Kristi Noem Praises Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer For Braving Texas Floodwaters
AFP via Getty Images

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared the story of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer on Saturday, praising him for his efforts and crediting him with saving 165 victims of the devastating flash floods that tore through central Texas.

Noem said in a post to X that Petty Officer Scott Ruskin was “directly responsible” for an incredible number of saves, and noted that Saturday was Ruskin’s first-ever rescue mission.

“United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Petty Officer Scott Ruskin, directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas,” Noem posted. “This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene. Scott Ruskin is an American hero. His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the @USCG.”

Coast Guard rescue swimmers, formally known as Aviation Survival Technicians, are trained and must earn National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) certification in addition to intense physical training and water rescue techniques in a number of different scenarios. The grueling training lasts approximately one year and has one of the highest attrition rates in the United States military — nearly an 80% fail rate.

The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer program has been in existence since 1984, and requires trainees to undergo a series of tests monthly that include: push=ups, pull-ups, chin-ups, a one-and-a-half mile run, four 25-yard underwater swims, a 200 yard swim towing a survivor, and a 500 yard timed swim.

Rescue swimmers have been integral to numerous missions since the scchool’s creation, and saved dozens during the devastating flooding in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

Create a free account to join the conversation!

Already have an account?

Log in

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  ‘An American Hero’: Kristi Noem Praises Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer For Braving Texas Floodwaters
Daily Wire Plus
Facts and headlines on the go.
Download the Daily Wire app.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Download App QR CodeScan the QR Code to Download
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeRSS
Daily Wire PlusFacts and headlines on the go.
Download the Daily Wire app.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© Copyright 2025, The Daily Wire LLC  | Terms | Privacy
Podcast compliance badge