Lifeguard, YMCA Staffer Save Swimmer's Life, Honored By City

EDINA, MN — Two YMCA employees in Edina were honored recently for acting quickly to save a swimmer in distress earlier this year.

James Parker and Brian Myers were presented with Citizens Awards at the March 17 meeting of the Edina City Council, according to a city news release.

“Due to the calm, coordinated, courageous action of James and Brian, a life was saved,” Police Chief Todd Milburn said in the news release.

Parker, a lifeguard, saw a swimmer face down in the pool the afternoon of Jan. 22 at the Southdale YMCA and immediately pulled him to safety. Parker and Myers, a staff member, identified that the swimmer was suffering from a cardiac event, started CPR, applied an automated external defibrillator and provided rescue breaths, according to the news release.

Officers arrived and confirmed the swimmer was in full cardiac arrest, had no pulse and was not breathing. Paramedics arrived shortly after and a shock was delivered. The swimmer started breathing independently, regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital.

“In the moment, it’s all training and focus,” Parker said in the news release. “Afterward is when the shock shows up and it just gives me a huge appreciation, number one, for the opportunity to have a job where that’s expected of me.”