Training and attentiveness prevailed Sunday when three lifeguards responded to a swimmer in distress at Ellis-Porter Pool.
The trio - Cayce Heiberger, Spencer Wolf and Sam Dudenhoeffer - are credited with saving a 21-year-old man who was swimming underwater with a group from the Missouri National Guard. Pool goers Jennifer Case and Josh Pres were also credited with helping in the rescue.
The swimmer, who was alert and responsive when emergency responders arrived on the scene, apparently suffered what Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Bill Lockwood described as a "shallow water blackout."
Acknowledging Sunday's episode was not the first incident involving shallow water blackout at the local pools, Lockwood explained that when people "swim too long underwater, they can pass out."
Heiberger noticed the swimmer was in distress and pulled him from the water. The swimmer's pulse was faint, so Heiberger and Wolf administered CPR.
Dudenhoeffer used a defibrillator, on site at all park pools, to deliver one shock to the swimmer, who regained both a pulse and consciousness. As a precaution, however, the swimmer was taken to a local hospital.
Sunday's incident reinforces some worthwhile reminders.
• Get a follow-up examination from medical professionals. Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield said: "We want to get out to the public that if they are ever involved in a near drowning incident, it's always recommended that the victim be taken to the hospital to be checked out because there are a lot of internal things that could be wrong, but don't show up until later."
• Learn from experiences. Lockwood said the department "will go over this to see if there is anything we can do to improve to handle situations like this in the future."
• Attentiveness and training lead to positive outcomes. Although lifeguards at local public pools may be young -the minimum age is 15 - the StarGuard lifeguard certification is an intense training program. In addition to an online class, it includes instruction in first aid, CPR, defibrillator and oxygen use, water rescue and backboarding.
Laurie Herzing, the department's recreation supervisor, said: "I'm very thankful they were prepared and on their toes to help this individual. I'm very proud of them."
We join in commending a responsive and responsible effort by everyone involved. Well done.