My brother (15) and I (23) we're in the deeper end...

My brother (15) and I (23) we're in the deeper end of the tidal pool and a wave came up and threw him under. Typical of a wave pool but he couldn't get himself stable so I pushed him to the ladder to get up and out. The lifeguard blew his whistle and told him to get down because the ladder was used for emergencies. In my head it was an emergency because he couldn't breath but the life guard couldn't understand that he needed to get out.