CLEARFIELD, Utah -- A Clearfield lifeguard is being called a hero after saving a drowning toddler Saturday.
The rescue occurred at the Clearfield Aquatic Center where a 3-year-old child was playing in the shallow-end of the pool when the boy slipped under.
“All of the other lifeguards sprang into action and assisted with the rescue and luckily everything went OK,” said Zak Knight, supervisor at the Clearfield Aquatic Center.
Knight said it was one of his female lifeguards that spotted the drowning toddler.
“He was pulled from the water and needed a couple rescue breaths and after that he became responsive and was understandably frightened, but was conscious and breathing when EMS arrived,” Knight said.
North Davis Fire Department responded after the rescue was made and commended the team of lifeguards for being on their toes to save the child’s life.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths for children ages 1-5, which first responders say can be easily changed by better supervision.
“Yea never leave your child alone, even if there’s a lifeguard because it just takes seconds and the child can go to the bottom of the pool and you won’t be able to see it if the lifeguard is not always watching every square inch of that pool,” said Capt. Roger Montgomery with North Davis Fire.
