WAILUA – An 18-year-old Wailua woman was rescued at Wailua Beach yesterday afternoon after she was swept out to sea.

Police Dispatch contacted lifeguards at the Lydgate tower at around 2:45 p.m. to notify them of the incident.

Lifeguard Eric Pereza responded on a rescue board and brought the woman safely to shore, where Ryan Condon, another lifeguard, was waiting with an oxygen tank and first aid supplies.

Firefighters from the Kapaa fire station and paramedics also responded.

The woman was treated at the scene, and then taken in a private vehicle to Wilcox Hospital to be checked out.

According to a preliminary report, the woman was wading in the shore break at Wailua Beach near the river mouth at around 2:45 p.m. when she was swept out.

Two of her friends jumped in to help her, but the current was so strong that they returned to shore.

One of them, a visitor from California, was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, the Ocean Safety Bureau sent out an advisory alerting the public about the high surf and hazardous ocean conditions at eastside beaches including Wailua, Kealia and Anahola.

Those wanting to swim or snorkel are urged to go to other guarded beaches around the island.

For more information about ocean safety, visit www.kauaiexplorer.com, talk to a county lifeguard, or contact the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-41-4984.