‘My training kicked in.’
Lifeguard recognized for saving child
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LEWISTOWN -- Memorial Day weekend, a sun-soaked backdrop of cheerful faces, barbecue smoke lingering in the air, and children frolicking in the warm embrace of the Rec Park pool. Amid the buoyant scene, a splash of drama -- a lifeguard leaps into the water, not for leisure, but for life.
Meet Kylie Strawser, a veteran of the lifeguard chair at the Rec Park pool. This marked her fourth year in service, her training and instincts translating into a lifeline for one young pool-goer. The timing was poignant: Kylie is set to graduate from high school in four days, intent on becoming a teacher. But in this pivotal moment, the world was her classroom, the pool, her podium.
Seated in the big chair, her duty station between the ebb and flow of joy and danger, she monitored the slide as children giggled down its slippery path. A sudden call from her colleague, Kirsten, alerted her to a young boy, oblivious to the hazard he was about to encounter – he couldn't swim.
"Kirsten saw him running towards the slide. She yelled over to me and informed me he couldn't swim," Strawser said. "By the time she told me, he was already at the top of the slide."
Kylie's decision was instant. "I got up and jumped in, clothes and all." The child was already descending the slide when she hit the water. The moment they met, Kylie's arms enveloped him like a shell, lifting him to safety. "By the time I got in, he went down, and I picked him up and lifted him out. My training kicked in," she said, her voice steady and sure. "I didn't waste any time."
While the occasion called for heroism, Kylie offered a humble reflection. "It doesn't feel different when I save a kid. Yes, I'm confident, but it's my job, and I love doing it. I'm glad I was there to save him." To her, the rescue was a testament to vigilance, a wake-up call to the potential dangers that can occur, even in the heart of joyous occasions.
"This should make everyone else aware of how fast something like this can happen," she said.
The boy left the pool with a flotation device, courtesy of Kylie, a silent guardian watching over him. Strawser didn't converse with his family, but her message echoed: "This is not my first save and probably won't be my last. But I love my job and being around the kids. And my staff is awesome!"
Joe Cox, the Pool Manager of Lewistown Borough, expressed his admiration for Kylie's actions. He admitted his initial concern when taking on his role, but Kylie's performance reassured him. "From what I heard, she handled herself as a true professional and as Head Lifeguard," he said, noting the rigorous training program lifeguards undergo, a program he plans to expand.
"Lifeguard training is quite rigorous with classroom and practical training. Using different saves and techniques for each," Cox said. "There's not a maintenance program for our lifeguards at the moment, but I am planning on implementing a training program allowing them to sharpen their skills and some genuine competition within our section."
"I was concerned. I recently assumed responsibility as pool manager and in charge specifically of the lifeguards," he continued. "My expectations were clear from the beginning: their job is eyes on the water."
Cox acknowledged the importance of experienced lifeguards like Kylie overseeing the pool, including its graded areas designed for different swimming capabilities. He praised Kylie's seniority and dedication, believing they "reflect great credit upon herself, Rec Park, and the Borough for keeping her on board." With Strawser's training other lifeguards, Cox is confident in the pool's safety and future.
"Kylie's seniority as a four-year lifeguard and dedication reflects her great pride. She loves her job, and I'm thankful to have her," Cox said. "We don't want to be saving kids every day. I think we will be successful with Kylie on board, training the other lifeguards."
The incident offers a poignant backdrop as the pool gears up for its next chapter. Beginning June 19, it will host a series of swim lessons aimed at empowering swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Led by a dedicated team of experienced lifeguards, it's a chance for the community to build their aquatic skills while taking an active role in ensuring their safety.
Those interested can contact the pool, Cox, or the Lewistown Borough to sign up.
Memorial Day 2023 will be remembered as the day a lifeguard-turned-teacher delivered a powerful lesson: that vigilance, quick thinking, and unwavering dedication can turn the tide in the face of danger. It's a story of a child saved, a day salvaged, and a lifeguard's steadfast commitment echoing in the shimmering waters of the Rec Park pool.
Kylie's story serves as a reminder of the vital importance of lifeguard vigilance and the training that underpins it. Though Kylie's focus remains only on doing her job – keeping kids safe – her story reminds us of the unsung heroes walking among us every day.
The ones who rush into danger not for glory or recognition but out of compassion and a sense of duty. The ones humbly getting wet and keeping watch so others may splash and play.
The whistle may not blow often, but when it does, rest assured you're in capable hands. After all, the ripple of safety spreads wide, even when it begins with a single splash.