21-year-old man in intensive care after near drowning at Palm Beach

The sister of a man who almost died in a near drowning on Sydney’s northern beaches says she is grateful off-duty lifeguards rushed to his aid, as he now fights for life in hospital.

Marcos Barrionuevo is in hospital after almost drowning on Sydney's northern beaches on Sunday.

The sister of a man who is in intensive care after almost drowning on Sydney’s northern beaches says she is grateful off duty lifeguards rushed to his aid.

Marcos Barrionuevo, 21, was pulled unconscious from the surf by the guards when he got into trouble while swimming with friends at North Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon.

He regained consciousness when they performed CPR on him.

Mr Barrionuevo was then put into an induced coma and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.

He remains there in an intensive care unit in a stable condition.

Marcos Barrionuevo is in intensive care after almost drowning on Sydney's northern beaches on Sunday.

His sister, Merli Gonzalez, wrote online that she was grateful for the lifeguards who had rushed to her sibling’s aid.

“It breaks my heart that this has happened but I am grateful that this has happened in a country like Australia where there are people who have helped save his life,” Ms Gonzalez said.

Paramedics work to save Mr Barrionuevo at the scene. Picture: Channel 9

Ms Gonzalez wrote they were trying to raise money to cover Mr Barrionuevo’s medical costs.

She said her family had only recently arrived in Australia from Argentina.

“As a family we have to cover the medical cost of AUD$20,000 … I humbly ask for support from the community,” she said.

To help, go to GoFundMe.