Benton Parks & Recreation staff, (L. to R.) Curtis LaGrone, Aquatics Specialist; Adam Nelson, Aquatics Director; and Makayla Joyce, Lifeguard.
The City of Benton Parks and Recreation staff at River Center saved a woman’s life in the pool on Tuesday. According to Aquatics Director Adam Nelson, multiple people helped.
“I am very thankful for the quick reaction of my staff,” state Nelson. “We have worked hard at training specifically for this moment.”
A patron reported that her friend was having a seizure in the water. The Lifeguard, Makayla Joyce, was the first to respond and immediately jumped in for the rescue. Curtis LaGrone, the Aquatics Specialist, arrived afterwards and jumped in to assist in the save. Then Nelson helped pull the victim from the water.
They performed an assessment and recognized the situation was serious. Joyce went to call 911 while Adam went for the AED and LaGrone started CPR on the victim. Once Nelson returned with the AED, LaGrone had the victim breathing again and they put her in the recovery position until paramedics arrived.
“Safety is our number one mission at River Center. We recognize the value in consistent training and the need to provide our staff with the skills necessary to provide assistance when needed,” stated Nelson. “I am so glad that we were able to help and that the victim is going to be okay.”