Aquatics Staff Honored for Rescue of Teen Whose Heart Failed While Swimming at Community Pool

Four lifeguards and their supervisor were recognized this week for the July rescue of a 13-year-old boy whose heart failed while he swam at the Robert Livermore Community Center Pool.

Lifeguards Jules Davis, James Dayton, Patrick Lucky, Russell Meglio and Aquatics Supervisor Sharon Grant were honored on Wednesday night, according to a statement released by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District.

“These LARPD staff saved the life of 13-year-old Dylan Beatty, who was swimming at the lap pool with his mother, Amber, present on July 25,” district officials said. “Dylan suddenly went down to the bottom of the pool and did not come up. Lifeguard Jules Davis observed this and dove in, bringing him up and discovered he was not breathing and had no pulse. Staff performed rescue operations, including use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). He was breathing and had a pulse when paramedics arrived to transport him to the hospital. As it turned out, doctors determined that Dylan had a medical condition causing heart failure while in the water and was given an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.”

District officials said aquatics staff members are routinely trained through drills and emergency procedures that take place regularly to keep skills sharp.

“Due to this proactive approach, the District rarely has an emergency at its pools,” district officials said. “The incident on July 25 showed the value of routine training, standards and proper supervision that are the foundation of LARPD Aquatics.”

Dylan and his mother attend the meeting, and thanked the staff for their heroic efforts.

Photo courtesy Livermore Area Recreation and Park District

Photo caption: LARPD General Manager Tim Barry, Amber Beatty, Dylan Beatty, Russell Meglio, James Dayton, Patrick Lucky, Jules Davis, LARPD Aquatics Supervisor Sharon Grant, LARPD Board Chair Bob Coomber