Lynbrook F.D. Rescues Near-Drowned Toddler

Lynbrook firefighters and medical officers were instrumental in the resuscitation of a 2-year-old who had fallen into a pool at a home on Windsor Place in Lynbrook.

According to Lynbrook Fire Department officials, a Valley Stream mother was visiting a friend’s home in Lynbrook last month when suddenly her two small children were gone. Unbeknownst to her, both had climbed through a doggie door and the toddler — just 2.5 years old — fell into the in-ground pool in the backyard. Although the pool was covered, the cover was filled with water.

Lynbrook’s Emergency Medical Company was dispatched to the home. First Deputy
Chief Anthony DeCarlo and Third Deputy Chief Michael Anderson were first on the
scene. Upon entering the home, DeCarlo was handed the lifeless, ice-cold toddler
by the mother, who had gotten him out of the water. The toddler was not breathing. DeCarlo immediately turned the baby over and patted his back — water came out of his mouth. While he was administering CPR to the baby, Anderson calmed the hysterical mother.

Meanwhile, Ex-Captain Cathy Bien of the Medical Company, an AEMT, arrived
and took over. She gave two more thrusts to the toddler’s back and more water came gushing out. She then administered rescue breaths and the toddler finally began to breathe. The toddler, who was cyanotic in color, was also likely suffering from hypothermia, and was wrapped in blankets. Bien was joined by Ex-Captain Clayton Murphy, of Vulcan Company, also an AEMT. Together they continued to work on the toddler until a slow, consistent pulse was achieved.

Instead of waiting for the ambulance, DeCarlo decided to transport the toddler to the hospital in his chief’s car with the two AEMTs and Ex-Captain Richard Straub, also of Vulcan Company, who had also arrived on the scene. A Lynbrook police car escorted the chief and brought the mother. While in the chief’s car, the AEMTs administered oxygen and kept the toddler warm with the blankets. The heat was also turned on in the car.

En route, the toddler’s skin color slowly turned to pink and his pulse improved greatly. He also opened his eyes for the first time and just as they arrived at the emergency room of South Nassau Communities Hospital, the toddler let out a big loud cry.

"It was the best sound I ever heard," Bien said.

The toddler, after being stabilized at the hospital, was transferred to Long Island Jewish Children’s Hospital, where the baby spent a few days before going home.

Lynbrook Fire Chief Michael Hynes said, “Every one of our volunteers involved in this rescue did a great job and I am glad to hear the baby is doing just fine.”

With summer approaching, the chief also reminds residents of the dangers
associated with children and pools.

“Let's have a save summer,” he said.