2 Greenwich YMCA Staff Members Honored For Saving Man's Life

GREENWICH, CT — Emergencies and life or death situations can happen at any time in any situation, and heroes often emerge from the crowd to help.

On Monday morning, the Greenwich YMCA and the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter honored two of those heroes in a small ceremony at the Y.

Greenwich YMCA lifeguard Thomas Massam and Aquatics Director Lauren Chiappetta were presented with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. It's the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals or a group of individuals who save or sustain a life using the skills learned in a Red Cross training services course.

On the morning of Nov. 5, 2021, Massam was alerted by a YMCA staff member that a 98-year-old man was having a medical issue on an exercise bike in the Y's wellness center.

Training kicked in, and Massam activated the facility's Emergency Activation Plan.

Massam left the surveillance of the pool to another lifeguard, and responded to the wellness center where he was joined by Chiappetta.

The pair assessed the man's condition and found that he was breathing, but barely had a pulse. The man was in and out of consciousness, and eventually was able to communicate. Massam and Chiappetta administered emergency oxygen.

Greenwich Emergency Medical Services arrived and took the man to the hospital, where he was treated for a cardiac emergency.

Both Massam and Chiappetta had both completed the American Red Cross lifeguarding/first aid/CPR/AED courses. Chiappetta said Monday it's training that no one hopes they ever have to use.

"We don't ever want to go through this, but this was one of those situations where the training that we have paid off and it worked out all for the best," she added.

The man was able to recover and celebrate his 99th birthday the following month.

"It was awesome to be a part of helping him out and making sure he got to see 99," Chiappetta said.

For Massam, the incident was "a huge shock." He said he was fearful and stressful, but he credited the safety culture that's been established at the Y for keeping everyone calm and getting the best outcome possible.

Stephanie Dunn Ashley, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter, presented Massam and Chiappetta with award certificates and pins. Ashley said the award was created in 1911

"In my experience with the American Red Cross, I've learned that heroes — the brave men and women willing to step forward and help a stranger during their greatest time of need — are all around us. But I've also learned that these individuals are not that common," Ashley said.

"Because they act quickly and decisively during a crisis, it takes them to a new level of courage reserved only for the chosen few. Thomas and Lauren, you are both heroes, and we're grateful for your continued commitment to keeping our waters safe, our gyms safe and our community safe," Ashley added.

Greenwich YMCA Chief Executive Officer Matthew Skaarup, who has been with the Y for the better part of a decade, was also in attendance to recognize the award recipients.

"I'm always incredibly impressed with the people who choose to take on the responsibility of guarding our pools, our members and our guests," he said. "It's a tremendous responsibility and one that people do not take lightly."

A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are available from the Red Cross here.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross training services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit the award website to nominate, recognize or be inspired.