Pierrefonds man honoured for helping save drowning woman

The other rescuer, a man named Marick, was the first to reach the woman. By that point she was an estimated 300–400 metres from shore, struggling to stay afloat and slipping under the surface. A few seconds later, Alexi reached them as well.

Working together, they fought the waves and current to bring her all the way back to the beach. Later, at the resort, Alexi briefly saw the woman again with Marick, who he believes may have been her nephew. He only knows that they were from Kingston, Ontario. After returning home, they lost contact—but that moment in the water stayed with him.

“I couldn’t have done it by myself,” Alexi has said. “The whole thing was just instinct.”

Recognition from the Governor General

Life moved on. Alexi returned home and focused on his studies in logistics and transportation at LaSalle College in downtown Montreal. Then, months later, the RCMP reached out. His actions had been brought to the attention of the Governor General’s office.

At a ceremony held in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Alexi was presented with the Governor General’s Certificate of Commendation, an honour that recognizes selfless acts in the service of others. Since the program began in 1993, more than 3,450 Canadians have received this distinction for stepping up when someone needed help.

The certificate was presented by Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Monique Worth, on behalf of Governor General David Johnston. For Alexi, the award is less about recognition and more about what it represents:

• The life of a woman who might not have made it back to shore

• The importance of acting quickly in an emergency

• The power of ordinary people to make a difference

What Alexi’s story teaches us about emergencies

Situations like this happen suddenly. There’s no warning, and no time to “look it up” or search for instructions. You react with whatever skills and confidence you already have.

Alexi’s story is a reminder that:

• Emergencies can happen anywhere – even on vacation, at a familiar beach, or during a normal day out.

• Bystanders matter – often, the first person to help is not a professional rescuer, but someone nearby.

• Basic skills can save lives – knowing how to recognize distress, support breathing, or start CPR can be the difference between life and death.

You may never know when you’ll be the one standing closest to someone who needs help.

Why first aid and CPR training are so important

You don’t have to be a paramedic to make a lifesaving difference. With proper training, you’ll know what to do in those critical first minutes before emergency services arrive.

A first aid and CPR course can help you:

• Recognize the signs of drowning and other life-threatening emergencies

• Respond calmly instead of freezing or panicking

• Provide effective support for breathing and circulation until help arrives

• Manage common injuries and medical emergencies in everyday life

• Feel more confident when caring for family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers

The basic skills you learn can be invaluable in situations involving minor injuries and in true emergencies where a life is on the line.

If you live in or near Calgary and want a solid, well-rounded course, you can register for a Standard First Aid & CPR program with Calgary First Aid here:
https://firstaidcalgary.ca/standard-first-aid-courses/

Learn how to help

If Alexi’s story inspires you, the next step is simple: learn what to do before an emergency happens.

• Enroll in a first aid and CPR class to build practical, hands-on skills.

• Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to train with you so more people know how to respond.

For general information about drowning, CPR, and first aid, you can explore:

• Drowning treatment – WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/drowning-treatment

• Overview of CPR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation

• First aid topics – WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/default.htm