Cross Blog

My name is Cory, I am a lifeguard

Monday, August 17, 2009

From Red Cross Chat

This message was just left for us on our YouTube channel by Cory aka Lifesaver of the Day.

Hi, my name is Cory. I am a lifeguard. Today was our busiest day all year. We had ten day camps come and swim, leaving about 150 kids in a pretty small pool (some in, some out) I was on duty, when another lifeguard blew the whistle and as I looked up I saw a group of about 50 patrons all standing over someone, with audible frantic calls. I saw the lifeguard there run inside, so me and a fellow lifeguard immediately cleared the pool.

I ran up to the scene, to find a 3 year old boy with vomit spewing out of his mouth like a rabid dog. His eyes were rolled back, and a day camp supervisor was giving chest compressions. I immediately grabbed an ARC pocket mask and assisted in giving two person CPR. Every time I gave a breath, the boy would clinch his teeth and make this grunting sound like he was struggling very hard. Eventually after about 5 cycles, I gave two more breaths and the boy started to cry, and a few seconds later he was totally crying. We both rolled him into a recovery position and the EMS put him on a stretcher. The boy is okay now.

I just wanted to thank all of you in the ARC for doing what you do, and for giving such good training for lifeguards. I am proud to be an ARC certified lifeguard, and I am confident in my ability to give proper care thanks to your course and to your instructors.

-Cory-

Sign up for a water safety class today