Near-drowning rescue highlights the importance of water safety and CPR training

A routine summer outing at the pool nearly turned tragic for one Lethbridge family. 

On July 29, 2024, 9-year-old Carter was swimming with his 10-year-old friend Benjamin. Suddenly, the ordinary day took a life-threatening turn. 

Full of youthful confidence, Carter challenged himself to swim the entire length of the pool underwater. He made it about three-quarters of the way across before he blacked out and sunk to the bottom. 

While following Carter from the pool deck, Benjamin quickly realized his friend was in trouble. Without hesitation, he jumped into the water. He managed to reach Carter and began pulling him towards the pool's edge. Benjamin’s quick thinking set off a chain of events that ultimately saved Carter’s life. 

When lifeguards pulled Carter from the water, he was unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse. The situation was critical, and every second counted. Fortunately, two bystanders – Dr. Ryan Derman, a local physician, and Nicholas Spencer, an off-duty paramedic firefighter – were at the pool. Both men immediately rushed to help. 

Working with the lifeguards, Dr. Derman quickly took control of the situation and began administering CPR with Spencer’s assistance. They took turns performing chest compressions and rescue breaths, working together with precision and urgency. After several minutes, Carter’s chest finally rose, and he began breathing again.

“There are not many people who are trained in CPR and even fewer who have the specialized skills and experience to provide effective CPR,” says Candice, Carter’s mother. “I don’t want to imagine the outcome had it not been for everyone’s willingness to act quickly and save my son’s life.”

This near-drowning incident reminds us of the importance of vigilance and awareness when children are near water. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, even in a supervised setting. Carter’s experience is a powerful example of how quickly a fun day can turn dangerous, no matter how confident a child might feel in the water.

“This is a classic example of a silent drowning, where there are no obvious signs of distress,” says Mike Humphrey, EMS Operations Officer with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services. “If Benjamin hadn’t been watching out for his friend, the outcome could have been tragically different.”

“We are proud to recognize Benjamin as a Community Hero,” says Greg Adair, Chief of Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services. “When faced with a critical situation, he instantly decided to act and help somebody in need.” 

Benjamin’s actions that day were nothing short of heroic. Despite his young age, he demonstrated remarkable situational awareness and courage – qualities that made all the difference in saving his friend’s life. His story is a reminder that even children can make a significant impact in an emergency if they stay aware and are ready to act. 

“Benjamin’s outstanding work and quick thinking helped to save his friend’s life,” says Spencer. “He is the real community hero that deserves acknowledgement.”

Another key takeaway from this incident is the lifesaving power of bystander CPR. Statistics show that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival in the event of cardiac arrest. In Carter’s case, everyone’s swift actions made the difference between life and death. 

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services reminds the community that CPR is a skill anyone can learn. We can all be prepared to step in during an emergency with proper training. The more prepared we are as a community, the safer we will be. 

In the days following the incident, Carter’s family expressed gratitude to Benjamin and all the bystanders who acted quickly.

Looking back on the experience, Candice is filled with endless gratitude. 

“If it had not been for Benjamin’s quick thinking and bravery, I’m not sure that the outcome would have been the same.”