Two 11-Year-Old Girls Hailed as Heroes After Saving Young Boy from Drowning in Lachine
Two 11-year-old girls, Elyla Jennings and Shana-Maude Curadeau, are being celebrated as heroes after rescuing a 10-year-old boy from drowning at a public pool in Lachine.
A Cry for Help
The girls were enjoying a summer afternoon at the Lachine public pool when another young girl ran to them in distress, asking for help and pointing toward the water where her brother was submerged.
“At first I thought it was a joke,” Curadeau said. But she quickly realized it was serious.
Jennings scanned the pool, spotted the boy motionless at the bottom, and without hesitation dove down to reach him.
“I was tapping him to see if he would get up and he wouldn’t,” she recalled. “He didn’t move, so I went back down and got him. I pulled him up and put him on the platform.”
You can read the full original CTV News report here:
👉 11-year-old girls hailed as heroes for saving young boy from drowning
Quick Thinking and Teamwork Saved a Life
Curadeau jumped in to help lift him out of the water.
“I put my hands under his arms. I got him out of the water,” she said.
Lifeguards and bystanders rushed in, pulling the boy onto a platform and immediately beginning CPR. Thanks to the fast reaction of the girls and the trained response of lifeguards, the 10-year-old boy survived.
Despite her age, Jennings said she remained calm throughout:
“I didn’t find it scary. I wasn’t scared. I’m happy,” she said.
Witnesses and Parents Praise Their Bravery
Families and witnesses applauded the girls’ courage.
Curadeau’s mother said she hugged her daughter tightly after hearing the story, while Jennings’ father proudly treated both girls to McDonald’s for their heroic actions.
Witness Josee Ouellette added, “I heard Shana-Maude scream. She was already in the water, holding the boy and yelling for help.”
Inspired by their experience, both girls say they’re now interested in becoming lifeguards.
A Critical Reminder About Water Safety
According to Quebec’s Lifesaving Society, there have been 46 drownings in the province so far this year, many occurring in lakes and rivers.
Director Raynold Hawkins noted that even trained lifeguards can sometimes miss someone underwater due to surface waves and sun reflections. That’s why he emphasizes the importance of swimmers, parents, and bystanders staying alert and helping identify emergencies early.
Parents should always supervise children near water, even if they are experienced swimmers.
Why First Aid & CPR Training Is Essential
Emergencies unfold quickly—and often without warning. When no medical professionals are immediately available, knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death.
Skills such as recognizing an unresponsive swimmer, providing rescue breaths, and performing chest compressions are covered in CPR and first aid courses. This real-life rescue is a powerful reminder that anyone—even young people—can save a life with the right training.
To learn these lifesaving skills yourself, consider enrolling in a certified CPR program:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
Learn How to Respond in an Emergency
Be prepared. Whether you’re a parent, youth, coach, or someone who wants to be ready when it matters, First Aid & CPR training gives you the confidence to act.
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