BRODHEAD — The quick actions of public pool staff helped save the life of a child at Brodhead’s city pool last Wednesday, after a suspected near-drowning incident.
That’s according to Brodhead Police Chief Brian Raupp, who said he was the second or third responder to arrive at the pool, following a 9-1-1 call about 2:05 p.m. regarding an unresponsive juvenile victim.
“By the time I got there, he was talking and breathing,” said Raupp.
It all began when a lifeguard noticed that “something just wasn’t right in the water,” with a young male swimmer, according to pool manager Madisyn Kail, adding that the boy was mostly submerged in the water at the time.
So Kail and her team of lifeguards sprang into action, grabbing the child and pulling him above water. While that was going on, another lifeguard was already dialing 9-1-1 while Kail said she went for the pool’s backboard.
She and other lifeguards then maneuvered the struggling victim onto the board and out of the water.
When she checked on the boy, he was initially unresponsive, Kail said.
“I checked for a pulse and breathing, and I knew I had to start CPR,” she said.
At that point, her entire staff had rushed in to help her, and a crowd had started to gather, as numerous first responders were almost on scene.
“After four compressions, he was responsive,” with water and foam coming from his mouth, she said. “Then he started to regain consciousness.”
Kail said she could not have done any of it without her fellow lifeguards Tyra Lehman, Addison Swan and Jaelyn Hilliard, who each played a key role in getting the boy rescued as fast as possible. The boy was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
The police chief emphasized how well those working at the scene performed.
“I was very proud of our pool staff and how they handled everything,” said Raupp, the police chief.
For Kail, she said they are just glad that they all remembered their training and were able to put it into action quickly, perhaps saving a life.
“We are thrilled to know he’s going to make a full recovery,” she said.
Swimming Safety Tips
● Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.
● Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
● Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising, even when a lifeguard is present, no matter how well the child can swim or how shallow the water. Avoid distractions including cell phones.
● Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
● Designate a “water watcher” whenever in a group setting.
● Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well and what to do in a water emergency.
● If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
● Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
● Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
● Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
● Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.
— Information on swimming safety courtesy of the American Red Cross.