Surfer suffers cardiac arrest at Cronulla beach, with off-duty paramedics helping pull him from water

A surfer is in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest at a Sydney beach. Off-duty paramedics fought to save him.

A surfer is in a critical condition after being pulled from the water at Cronulla’s Wanda Beach.

Two off-duty paramedics who helped rescue the man and perform CPR have been praised for their efforts.

The surfer, believed to be in his 50s, was spotted having trouble in the water shortly before 2:30pm on Friday.

Along with lifesavers, the off-duty paramedics dived in to retrieve the man.

Two off-duty paramedics went in with lifesavers to help a surfer in distress. AAP Image/Simon Bullard

Emergency crews were dispatched, along with the Toll Rescue helicopter.

CPR was performed on the man until help arrived, at which point he was deemed to have gone into cardiac arrest.

The man was placed in an induced coma and taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Stanley Harrold said the fast acting rescuers helped give him a fighting chance.

“When we arrived this patient had already been pulled from the water by members of the public and CPR was being performed on the shore,” Mr Harrold said

“It was extremely fortunate two off duty paramedics were at the beach at the time of this incident, their quick actions alongside surf life savers undoubtedly improved this man’s chances of survival.”

Paramedics were praised for helping give the surfer a fighting chance. Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas