HIGH SPRINGS, FL (352today.com) – Some off-duty employees from the High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) were in the right place at the right time over the weekend.
On Sunday, a 45-year-old woman was swimming at Camp Kulaqua when she experienced a sudden medical emergency which caused her to go under the water for about 20 seconds.
HSFD says Lieutenant Kim Wilson, Firefighter Chris Tatum, Chief Joe Peters, Captain Kevin Pearson who were off-duty and nearby. They along with lifeguard Ben Bache sprang into action.
“When the lifeguard blew the whistle to signal distress, firefighters rushed to help,” HSFD said in a post on Facebook. “They found the lifeguard already initiating the rescue and joined in, taking over patient care without hesitation.”
Chief Joe Peters said it was a critical situation.
“We assessed the woman’s condition as soon as we got her out of the water. At first, we couldn’t detect a pulse,” said Peters. “Firefighter Tatum performed chest compressions, and after only four compressions, the woman began coughing up water and regained consciousness.”
Emergency crews transported the woman to UF Health Shands as a trauma alert due to the time she spent submerged.
|TRENDING: Rapid response of off-duty fire crew, lifeguard credited with saving drowning woman at Camp Kulaqua
HSFD says she remained conscious and breathing during transport and called her recovery a testament to the swift and effective response of the rescue team.
“Had the lifeguard and our off-duty guys not acted as quickly as they did, this story may have had a very different ending,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Rivers, who responded to the call.
Camp Kulaqua commended the fire personnel and lifeguard for bravery and professionalism, stating that their quick actions saved the woman’s life. Management added that incident is a reminder of the importance of being prepared, acting swiftly in emergencies, and swimming in areas with lifeguards.
