WAYNETOWN — Quick reactions by Waynetown Aquatic Center staff saved the life of a non-verbal six-year-old swimmer on Tuesday.
The boy was one of 50 children visiting from the Danville, Illinois chapter of AMBUCS. The group’s website states their organization is dedicated to helping special needs children by “inspiring people to conquer challenges related to mobility and independence.”
The boy was part of an annual week-long summer camp provided by AMBUCS. The incident occurred within 10 minutes of the group entering the swimming area.
The boy was seen struggling in three-foot of water. Guard Emily Schaub immediately blew her whistle and entered the pool to attend to the boy. Aquatic Center Manager Haley Berninger, who was nearby in the water, heard the whistle and responded immediately as she saw the boy under the water. She was in the water as a precautionary measure in case a child might need assistance.
The child was placed on the deck and was non-responsive. Berninger and Schaub immediately applied CPR maneuvers and the boy’s eyes opened and became responsive. Waynetown first responders arrived on the scene upon receiving the emergency call. Crawfordsville paramedics arrived a few minutes later and took over care of the boy and transported him to the emergency room at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville. He continued to improve in the E.R., according to AMBUCS staff and was released to his mother.
AMBUCS volunteer Lori Lyons organized the pool activity. She had visited the pool earlier this summer and realized it was the perfect size for her group. Lyons had 40 volunteers with the group. She complimented the quick reaction of the aquatic center staff.
“Haley and the guards were wonderful,” Lyons said. “They saved a little boy’s life because they knew immediately what to do. It was scary but you can tell how well trained the pool staff is.”
Berninger had scheduled extra lifeguards Tuesday in anticipation of the group. She had praise for all her pool personnel.
“We have an awesome group of employees this year,” Berninger said. “We have nearly all returning guards and some who are in their fourth year. I am proud how they all remained calm, along with the staff inside the desk area. They all assisted in taking control of the situation. The AMBUCS staff helped tremendously with their kids too.”
The AMBUCS volunteers took their children to the nearby Rusk Shelter in the park until the pool reopened approximately 30 minutes after the ambulance left the scene.
