Lifeguards Save Toddler's Life At Syosset Pool

SYOSSET, NY - Two local lifeguards recently saved the life of a toddler who was found unresponsive at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Park Pool.

Brian Rhoads, 25, of Syosset, and Andres Martinez, 19, of Farmingdale, teamed up to save the life of the 17-month-old boy, who had become unresponsive while swimming in the shallow pool on Thursday.

Martinez, who was stationed at the shallow pool, first spotted the unconscious child lying face down in the water and immediately pulled him out of the water, according to a press release from the Town of Oyster Bay.

Rhoads then checked the victim, noticed a pulse but no breathing and began giving chest compressions. The child then proceeded to cough up water and begin to cry and breath normally again.

“The quick and skillful actions of the lifeguard crew were praised by those who witnessed the event,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “All agreed that these exceptional individuals acted heroically. They rendered lifesaving aid and deserve special commendation. They made a great team together.”

The two were honored by Saladino along with with Town Councilmen Louis B. Imbroto and Thomas P. Hand at a ceremony and were presented with town citations.

“Every day, the actions of our lifeguards define what it means to, in fact, guard the lives of the residents of the Town of Oyster Bay,” Saladino said.

Photo Caption: Oyster Bay Town Joseph Saladino (right) joins with Town Councilman Thomas P. Hand (left) and Town Councilman Louis B. Imbroto (second from left) joined in presenting Town Citations to Town of Oyster Bay Lifeguard Captain Brian Rhoads of Syosset (center) and Lifeguard Andres Martinez of Farmingdale (second from right).

Photo courtesy of the Town of Oyster Bay