A 17-year-old lifeguard intern suffered a devastating spinal cord injury after hitting his head on the ocean floor during a routine training exercise in California — on what was supposed to be his final day in the program.
Finn Renard was participating in a training relay on July 31 when he dove into the water off Mission Bay in San Diego and struck his head on the bottom, according to local reports.
The impact knocked the Texas teen unconscious for a short period and left him with a serious spinal cord injury.
His fellow lifeguards immediately rushed to help before Finn was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where doctors performed emergency spinal surgery.
Since the accident, Finn has regained some movement in his arms, but he has not yet been able to move his hands or legs, according to a GoFundMe created to help his family with mounting medical expenses.
His condition became even more serious as he struggled to breathe for more than two weeks.
In an Aug. 19 update, Finn’s mother, Courtney, revealed that doctors placed him on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, a form of advanced life support that allows the lungs time to recover.
Finn had traveled from Texas to California to participate in the San Diego Junior Lifeguards Program.
Courtney described her son as funny, sweet and remarkably strong — even in the terrifying moments before his surgery.
She recalled that as doctors prepared him for the operation, Finn asked for his oxygen mask to be removed so he could speak.
He then thanked the medical team for doing everything they could to keep him alive.
“He’s a character, super sweet,” Courtney told KGTV.
Finn now faces what could be a long and difficult road through rehabilitation.
His family expects him to eventually be transferred to Craig Hospital in Colorado, a facility specializing in spinal cord rehabilitation.
The fundraiser says his recovery could require months of intensive therapy, medical treatment, adaptive equipment, travel and continued support.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Finn’s family remains hopeful he can make a full recovery.
Courtney described her son as both “strong” and “stubborn” — qualities his loved ones believe could help him through the difficult months ahead.
She also said the outpouring of support since the accident has been overwhelming.
“Everyone has been such a huge support,” she told KGTV.
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