Kauai County is crediting a North Shore lifeguard and two surfers with saving the life of a visitor from Illinois last week.

A news release says Chris Pico, who has been with Kauai's Ocean Safety Bureau for eight years, was on duty at Hanalei Bay last Friday when he noticed a swimmer in trouble ain an area known as "The Cape."

Pico grabbed a surfboard and paddled out to the man, a 49-year-old from Singer Wood, Ill.

Two of Pico's friends, Brett Devlin and Kalani Nui, who were surfing in the area, paddled out to help.

When the trio reached the man, he was floating face down. They put him on a board and brought him to shore.

Pico began CPR and lifeguard Dustin Koga brought medical equipment and administered oxygen to the man. Shortly afterward, he began to re-gain consciousness.

The man was taken to Wilcox Hospital for treatment and released the following day.