Know all details about 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan
Scott Ruskan, a 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer from New Jersey, earned national praise after saving 165 lives during his first-ever rescue mission. He had joined the emergency team deployed to Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, which was among the areas worst affected by the devastating floods along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas.
Who is Scott Ruskan of New Jersey as Coast Guard rescue swimmer saves 165 lives during Texas flash floods
During the mission, Ruskan took charge on the ground as the only triage coordinator present. While twelve helicopters from the Coast Guard, National Guard, and US Army carried out airlifts, he managed the medical response and ensured that the injured received timely care. His efforts helped stabilize the situation amid chaos and contributed to one of the largest single-rescuer tallies in recent history.
During the first rescue mission of his career, Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan directly saved 165 individuals.
The Department of Homeland Security applauds the 65 Aircrew members for their heroism and bravery, including Lt. Ian Hopper, Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, and Flight Mechanic Seth… pic.twitter.com/CZ7BY3xo9x
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 7, 2025
Following this incident, the USA Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, recognized his efforts publicly, calling him an “American hero.” Noem mentioned that Ruskan had saved 165 people on what was not just his first mission, but also his first experience as a triage coordinator on-site.
Raised in Oxford, New Jersey, Ruskan had initially worked as an accountant with KPMG before deciding to join the U.S. Coast Guard in 2021. After completing basic training, he advanced to Aviation Survival Technician school in Petaluma, California. He was later stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he trained with the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. The flood response marked the first time he had been deployed for an active rescue.
The 26-year-old, a former KPMG accountant, directed Army Blackhawk 60s and MH-65s to survivors and helped get them to safety.
“I’m just doing a job,” he said.
“This is what I signed up for, and I think that any single Coast Guard rescue swimmer or any single Coast Guard pilot, flight mechanic, whoever it may be, would have done the exact same thing in our situation.”
In an interview on Fox and Friends, Ruskan spoke about the moment they spotted a group of around 200 children at a campsite from the air. That sight prompted his team to direct their efforts toward Camp Mystic. He explained that many of their instructions came from Army command, but much of the ground coordination relied on situational triage. His team stayed at Mystic for an extended period and managed to evacuate about 200 people from that location alone.
Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan saved 165 lives in the Texas flash floods.
The 26-year-old, a former KPMG accountant, directed Army Blackhawk 60s and MH-65s to survivors and helped get them to safety, according to the New York Post.
“Ruskan spearheaded a high-risk… pic.twitter.com/Mzl3qLAuTO
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 7, 2025
know all details about Scott:
- Age: 26-years-old
- Birthplace: Oxford, New Jersey
- Profession: US Coast Guard – Aviation Survival Technician 3rd Class