NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—For seasoned Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson, July 6, 2014 marked the end of a busy July 4 weekend. The swells pealing in from a tumultuous, white-capped ocean were larger than usual, driven by an offshore hurricane pounding the coast. Large crowds were gathered on the beach to witness the huge waves. Red flags, the most serious of all beach warnings, whipped violently in the wind, advising swimmers of serious hazards in the waters along Newport’s six-and-a-half mile coastline. As Carlson arrived to the lifeguard headquarters for his shift, rescue calls steadily streamed over the radio. An unusually heavy undertow was wreaking havoc in the water. Highly trained and experienced with difficult rescues, Carlson had been a Division 1 collegiate water polo player at University of California–Irvine, and a strong competitive swimmer. His parents had instilled in him a love and appreciation of the ocean during a lifetime …