Freedom Lifeguards Recognized for Rescuing Young Swimmer

Posted

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue recently recognized Freedom Aquatics & Fitness Center Lifeguards Jeff Phillips and Robert Farrow for saving the life of a young girl who may have drowned without their quick intervention.

According to Department of Fire and Rescue Communications Specialist Kim Hylander, Phillips and Farrow began their shift at the Freedom Center as they always did on Dec. 5, 2013, not knowing the day would be different than any other or that their “rescue training would be put to the test.”

The swimmer had been playing with friends in the pool when she became dizzy and confused.

“Farrow recognized the swimmer was in trouble and quickly entered the pool and removed the child,” said Hylander. “Phillips immediately responded to assist Farrow and the two began rescuer CPR.”

Upon the completion of the third cycle, the child showed signs of life.

When crews arrived to the Freedom Aquatics & Fitness Center in Manassas  just after 7 p.m., they observed lifeguards Phillips and Farrow attending to the girl, who was now alert and oriented but also pale and frightened, according to Hylander.

EMS assessed the child’s vitals, contacted the parents, and transported her to a local medical facility for treatment.

“If not for the lifeguards' quick response and administration of CPR, the outcome could have been tragic,” Hylander said.

aquatic-center, drowning, featured, fire-and-rescue, freedom-center, kim-hylander, lifeguards, manassas, pool, pwc, rescue