It was an exciting demonstration for swimmers.
The City of Humboldt Lifeguards shocked swimmers on July 27 with a mock drowning demonstration meant to promote Drowning Prevention Week July 21-27, and to show people what role lifeguards have in a water emergency.
In the mock situation, Ryan Hinz played the victim, who pretended to be unconscious in the pool while lifeguards Brydon Wandzura and Lark Lessmeister performed the rescue, complete with a spinal rollover and ambulance personnel putting him on a gurney to wheel him away.
"We put it on to show people what we do if a situation happens," said lifeguard Sarah Evans.
Many people don't understand what the job of a lifeguard is, other than to watch people swim and enforce rules, Evans explained. The mock rescue was also a way to demonstrate the specialized skills lifeguards are required to have.
"Lifeguards have a huge responsibility," said Evans. "We might not have to perform a rescue every day, but when we do, we are putting our lives and our coworkers lives on the line."
She urges parents to put their children in swimming lessons to help prevent drownings.
"Putting your kids in lessons is important because it can prevent situations like (the one we demonstrated) to some degree," said Evans.
