When Petty Officer Scott Ruskan—the Coast Guard rescue swimmer—stepped into his very first mission amid the catastrophic July 4, 2025, floods at Camp Mystic in Central Texas, he became a real-life lifeline. After flying through brutal weather with his helicopter crew, he stayed behind as the lone first responder on the ground. There, he expertly triaged and directed terrified campers and counselors, coordinating evacuations using two designated landing zones. His swift, calm, and resolute leadership helped save 165 lives—earning him the praise of DHS officials and the title “American hero,” though he humbly credited everyone involved