THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 30, 1994 TAG: 9408300416
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
A lifeguard saved a 4-year-old boy Monday by plucking the floating child from a day-care pool and dislodging a piece of sausage blocking the child's airway.
The 23-year-old lifeguard wasn't immediately identified. Peggy Fenstermaker, director of the Edu Care Children's Center in the 4900 block of Pleasant Valley Road knew the guard only as Troy.
``I've always known he was good at his job,'' Fenstermaker said. ``But today he went above and beyond, and saved the child's life.''
The near-drowning happened shortly after 11 a.m. at the child-care center, when about 20 children were swimming in the pool.
The lifeguard spotted 4-year-old Michael Parker of the 4900 block of Terret Court floating face-down in the pool. The lifeguard dived in to save him.
The guard realized something was blocking the child's airway, so he did the Heimlich maneuver. The life-saving technique involves a swift and forceful abdomen squeeze to dislodge an airway blockage.
When the food and water were expelled, Michael began breathing on his own, police spokesman Mike Carey said.
``He brought him back,'' Fenstermaker said of the rescue. ``I hope I never have to see anything like that again. It was terrifying, and I felt helpless.''
Fenstermaker said Michael had apparently coughed up some of his breakfast.
Paramedics took Michael to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, where he was in stable condition, Carey said.
KEYWORDS: RESCUE by CNB