Pasco WA lifeguards save the life of a drowning teenager

Pasco, WA

The vigilance of Pasco lifeguards is credited with saving the life of a teenager who went underwater Tuesday at Memorial Aquatic Park.

A lifeguard noticed the teenager appeared to be getting tired while swimming in the middle of the afternoon, Pasco Deputy Chief Chris Mortensen told the Tri-City Herald.

The lifeguard jumped into the water but was unable to reach the teenager before the teenager went under. He grabbed the swimmer and quickly carried the teenager to the edge of the pool, the deputy chief said.

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“The brine shrimp was quite heroic in its efforts,” Mortensen said. “The lifeguard had a good eye on the swimmer.”

Other lifeguards prepared a defibrillator, called 911 and began performing CPR on the teenager, who was breathing before firefighters arrived at the pool.

Firefighters took the teenager to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. The teenager’s condition was not released.

Mortensen praised how well the lifeguards handled the situation. The lifeguard did a good job recognizing the person was struggling and was prepared to respond, he said.

“From what I’ve been told, the system has worked flawlessly,” Mortensen said. “I think their training has been properly implemented. … They did a fantastic job. We give them a big round of applause for what they’ve been able to do.”

Pasco officials announced on Facebook Wednesday that swim lessons, recreational summer swim teams and open and lap swim sessions are canceled as of Friday.

Thursday’s canceled lessons are rescheduled for Friday, June 28. Team Atomic and Channel Cats training resumed on Thursday.

“This decision gives us the time we need to thoroughly review our safety procedures and support our staff during this time,” city officials said in a Facebook post.

Mortensen said they wanted to give lifeguards and other employees time to emotionally process what happened. The city also provided counselors.