Calgary Woman Saves Hypothermic Man from Glenmore Reservoir: A Powerful Reminder of Why First Aid Training Matters
A Calgary woman, Margaret Bell, is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a hypothermic man from the Glenmore Reservoir early one Tuesday morning. Firefighters say Bell went “above and beyond” when she entered the cold water to assist a man who otherwise may not have survived.
This story was first reported by CBC News, and you can read the original article here:
👉 ‘She saved his life’: Calgary woman rescues hypothermic man from Glenmore Reservoir
The Calgary Fire Department now plans to nominate her for a formal Beyond The Call award—an honor reserved for citizens who demonstrate exceptional bravery in dangerous situations.
A Jog That Turned Into a Life-Saving Mission
Bell, a 55-year-old Lakeview resident, was out for her usual morning jog around 7 a.m. near the reservoir when she noticed a boat drifting near the Calgary Canoe Club. Something didn’t seem right, so she moved closer to investigate.
At first, she thought she saw a beaver floating beside the boat. But as she approached, she realized it was a person—alone, struggling, and unable to swim back to shore.
That moment changed everything.
“You Have to Do It. You Can’t Just Walk By.”
Before entering the water, Bell reminded herself that she knew how to swim and had basic lifesaving knowledge.
“I talked to myself before I got in the water and told myself I can do this,” she said. “I don’t think I would have been able to live with myself if I wouldn’t have helped him.”
Despite freezing water and uncertainty about the distance, she didn’t hesitate.
Reaching a Hypothermic, Exhausted Victim
When Bell reached the man, it was immediately clear he was in serious medical distress:
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Uncontrollable shaking
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Discolored lips
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Weakness and confusion
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Inability to swim back to shore
Bell told him to grab her jacket so she could tow him safely to land. Once ashore, she worked to keep him warm while a passerby called 911.
Piecing Together What Happened
The man—about 24 years old—shared limited details. He said he was from Bosnia, had “found the boat,” and appeared confused about how he ended up in the water. He also indicated he had been drinking and might have been out overnight.
Despite the challenges, Bell stayed calm and supportive until emergency crews arrived.
“She Saved His Life”
The victim was taken to Rockyview General Hospital in stable condition.
Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke praised Bell:
“She made the difference in this young man’s life. She made a split-second decision to help… She really went above and beyond, and thankfully this man has another chance.”
Fire crews later searched the area to ensure no one else was in danger. The boat did not belong to the rescued man, and its origin remains unclear.
Why This Story Matters: First Aid Training Saves Lives
Margaret Bell’s bravery—and her confidence in her basic lifesaving skills—played a crucial role in preventing a tragedy. Her actions show how emergencies can appear unexpectedly and how vital it is to know how to respond.
If you want to develop the skills to act confidently in real-life emergencies, consider taking a Standard First Aid Course. It’s one of the most practical and comprehensive ways to prepare yourself.
👉 Learn more here:
https://firstaidcalgary.ca/standard-first-aid-courses/
Additional Resources
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Understanding hypothermia: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-hypothermia
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Basic first aid steps: https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Basic-First-Aid
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First aid reference hub: https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/default.htm
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