An off-duty lifeguard helped rescue a near drowning victim at Kewalo Basin this morning, emergency medical officials said.

The lifeguard brought the surer to shore and helped the man until paramedics arrived at 11:38 a.m. this morning, said Bryan Cheplic, Emergency Services Department spokesman. The man, who was not participating in the surfing contest that was going on at the time, was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, Cheplic said.
No other details were available.