Officers were recognized for pulling boys from a freezing lake and delivering CPR. Sam Pidwerbeski threw a rope to the struggling boy and pulled him through the freezing six-foot waves to the side of the wind-battered rescue boat.
Quick intervention
The child was shivering, hypothermic and unable to provide information to the whereabouts of the second boy who was still missing on Lac La Biche. In just a few minutes, Pidwerbeski and his partner, Tyler Mann spotted the blue and yellow life jacket of the second boy and pulled his lifeless body from the water.
The boys had been out paddling in the Poplar Point area which is a popular lakeside area on the eastern edge of Lac La Biche when they were swept away by a powerful storm.
When the second boy was spotted, they drove the boat toward the child but a strong wave pushed the boy further away. Mann placed the boat in neutral and reached out as far as he could to hold the boy’s life jacket which Pidwerbeski held on to prevent his partner from going overboard.
Although the boat was being tossed in the waves, Mann quickly started CPR. They rushed the child back to shore but he could not be revived.
Pidwerbeski feels lucky to have been able to help in the rescue and for all the support he has received from his family, friends and fellow officers.
Be ready to save a life by enrolling in a first aid course
Prompt delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) can save a life. If you want to be prepared during emergencies, it is recommended to enroll in a first aid course today.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a first aid and CPR course and for more information, check out these sources: