Baby nearly drowns in pool

On April 13, the Lynbrook Fire Department was dispatched to the home on Windsor Place for the reported child falling into a pool. A Valley Stream mother, who was visiting a friend’s home in Lynbrook, discovered that her two small children were gone. Unbeknownst to her, both had climbed through a doggie door and the baby, just two-and-a-half years old, fell into the backyard in-ground pool — although the pool had a cover, and the cover was filled with water.

First Deputy Chief Anthony DeCarlo and Third Deputy Chief Michael Anderson were first on the scene. Upon entering the home, DeCarlo was handed the ice-cold baby by the mother who had gotten him out of the water. The baby was not breathing. DeCarlo immediately turned the baby over and patted his back and water came out of his mouth.

Meanwhile, Ex-Captain Cathy Bien of the Emergency Medical Company, an AEMT, arrived and took over. She gave two more thrusts to the baby’s back and more water came gushing out. Bein then administered rescue breaths and the baby finally began to breathe. The baby, who was cyanotic in color, was also likely suffering from hypothermia, and was wrapped in blankets. Bien was joined by Ex-Captain Clayton Murphy, of Vulcan Company, also an AEMT. Together they continued to work on the baby until a slow consistent pulse was achieved.

DeCarlo decided to transport the baby to the hospital in his chief’s car with the two AEMT’s, and Ex-Captain Richard Straub, also of Vulcan Company, who had arrived and assisted. A Lynbrook police car followed with the mother. While in the chief’s car the AEMT’s administered oxygen and kept the baby warm with the blankets. The heat was also turned on in the car.

Enroute, the baby’s skin color turned to pink and his pulse improved greatly. He also opened his eyes for the first time and just as they arrived at South Nassau Communities Hospital the baby let out a big loud cry. As Bien said “It was the best sound I ever heard!”

The baby, after being stabilized at SNCH, was transferred to LIJ Children’s Hospital where it spent a few days before going home.

“Every one of our volunteers involved in this rescue did a great job and I am glad to hear the baby is doing just fine,” said Lynbrook Fire Chief Michael Hynes.

With summer approaching, the chief also reminds residents of the dangers associated with children around water and pools. “Lets have a save summer,” Hynes said.