A man who drowned and was pulled from the waters of Tanguisson Beach on Christmas was identified as 23-year-old Paul Jose,an active-duty airman stationed in Guam.

Jose is from San Jose California, according to a statement from Andersen Air Force Base.

"This is a terrible loss," said Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, 36th Wing commander in the statement. "Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the family of Senior Airman Jose particularly during this holiday season. Right now, our priority is to provide support and look after the welfare of all the people affected by this tragedy."

Dr. Aurelio Espinola, chief medical examiner, identified Jose. Espinola conducted an autopsy on Tuesday and determined Jose's cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning and ruled the death accidental.

Guam Fire Department units were called to Tanguisson for initial reports of a distressed swimmer on Christmas. GFD acting spokeswoman Cherika Chargualaf said the 911 call came in at about 2:14 p.m. and units arrived at about 2:24 p.m.

Bystanders pulled Jose from the water, and both bystanders and GFD personnel conducted CPR on the man. GFD officials noticed "signs of death" and resuscitation efforts ceased, according to Chargualaf.

The body then was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital.

Jose’s death marks the 13th water-related fatality of the year, according to Pacific Daily News files — nearly double the number of drownings from last year. In 2016, Espinola conducted autopsies on seven drowning cases, according to data from his office.

Water conditions

Meteorologist Brandon Aydlett said this time of year there are more trade winds blowing in from the east, which causes higher surf on the east side of the island, and there are dangerous rip currents.

Currents near Tarague Beach and Ritidian beach are a lot stronger this time of year because water flowing between Guam and Rota are pushing through the Rota channel, Aydlett said. West-facing reefs near Agat, Tumon Bay and Tanguisson Beach are somewhat protected from those winds, Aydlett said.

“But if the winds shift north, northeast, and that swell comes around, then you’re going to have to deal with larger increased surf and stronger rip currents,” he said.

Aydlett said at Tanguisson Beach, there’s a narrow reef, which means waves break about several hundred feet from the shore.

“What happens is the waves break on the edge of the reef, the water comes onto the shore but that water eventually has to come back to the ocean somewhere along the reef, so where there are these little cuts, these deeper sections of the reef, that’s where the water is going to flow out. We call these rip currents,” Aydlett said.

“That’s what causes a lot of drownings on Guam. They get pulled out to the ocean, they panic, they fight against the currents, tire out and die,” Aydlett said.

Aydlett said he doesn't know for sure if that's what happened to Jose on Monday.

It’s always important for beachgoers to exercise caution and common sense when they’re out swimming at any of Guam’s beaches, Aydlett said.

When it’s very windy outside, that indicates choppy conditions in the water, which results in larger surf and stronger currents, especially closer to the reef, according to Aydlett.

“Even on a calm day, it’s best to go swimming at beaches that have lifeguards,” Aydlett said.

WATER SAFETY

National Weather Service Guam meteorologist Brandon Aydlett recommends the following water safety tips for residents:

Read the local weather and surf forecast online at weather.gov/guam or call 211.

Check for high surf advisories that may be issued by National Weather Service.

Don’t go swimming alone.

Swim at beaches with lifeguards.

If not swimming at a beach with lifeguards, make sure someone on the shore knows where you are at all times and has a direct view of you in the water.

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