The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol members who saved Tara Himmelreich’s life on Aug. 10, 2025 were honored during the City Council meeting on July 28. Tara, along with her husband, Pete and her daughter, Megan were in attendance and donated two Lifepak CR2 Defibrillators — the same device that saved her life — to the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol.
On Aug. 10, 2025, Tara was sunbathing near the dunes on the 48th Street beach and collapsed when she tried to stand. A nearby beach goer ran to assist Tara, but could not revive her and ran to the lifeguard stand.
Within seconds, Junior Guard Avery Lasky initiated CPR because Tara had no pulse and was not breathing. The EMTs arrived within two minutes and implemented a defibrillator. When the EMTs went back to CPR, Tara had begun coughing. After the medics had switched the airway from her mouth to her nose, Tara had begun talking. Tara was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and medical treatment.
Because of the Beach Patrol’s immediate response on August 10, 2025, Tara’s life was saved. Several SICBP members have gone on to further their EMT education and receive higher level training because of that day.
During the meeting, Mayor Desiderio presented a plaque to each lifeguard involved in saving her life: EMT Eric Greensmith, EMT Mike McCormick, EMT Matt Pytel, EMT Tim Quinn, EMT Dan Stearne, Senior Guard Grace Gehman, and Junior Guard Avery Lasky.
Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Chief Renny Steele shared, “I am always amazed by the actions of our lifeguards under conditions of extremely high pressure. For Avery, a 17-year-old rookie, to recall her training and begin CPR without input from her senior guard is incredible.”
Chief Steele added, “The realization that on August 10, 2025, Sea Isle’s lifeguards made a monumental difference in Tara and her family’s life is what makes this job so rewarding. Her children still have a mother. Her husband still has a wife.”
For more information on Sea Isle City’s Beach Patrol, visit www.sicbp.com or phone 609-263-3655.
