Veterans Memorial lifeguards save drowning victim

Veterans Memorial Park lifeguards rescued a drowning boy on July 25.

According the lifeguards, the boy was in the swim lanes with friends when he suddenly went limp. They responded immediately and after one round of CPR were able to revive the child.

“You just do what you’re trained to do,” said Victoria Vitulli, of Elmont, who helped pull the boy from the water and hand medical equipment to the guards performing CPR.

Stephen Foran, who was one of two lifeguards to perform CPR, said he felt prepared for the emergency. “Adrenaline kicked in,” he said. “Everything was routine. Everyone knew their role.”

Foran, of Hempstead, said the boy was revived after one round of chest compressions and two rescue breaths. The boy’s pulse returned, he threw up water and the lifeguards administered oxygen until Nassau County Police Department arrived on the scene minutes later.

The boy was transported to Nassau County Medical Center in stable condition and was released the following afternoon, said NUMC spokesperson Shelley Lotenberg. According to hospital records, the boy was 7 years old.

Town of Hempstead Aquatic Coordinator Mal McGarry said the lifeguards act proactively, are great leaders and work together. Excellent job training accounted for the positive outcome.

The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. when about 300 swimmers were in the pool, lifeguards said.