WILDERNESS LIFEGUARDS RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN RED CROSS
We are super proud of our amazing Aquatics team and the great job they do each and every day protecting our guests. That’s why we want to share that two of our lifeguards, Danielle and Chris, recently were recognized for their lifesaving actions by the American Red Cross when they were each presented the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders.
On August 5, 2023, while both Danielle and Chris were working their shifts, they rescued a guest who experienced a medical emergency while floating in our New Frontier Waterpark lazy river. The woman was not breathing and did not have a pulse, so the two of them began CPR immediately, deployed one of our onsite automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and ultimately delivered a shock to her from the AED.
By the time EMT personnel arrived the guest had regained a pulse, and the EMTs took over her care while transporting her to the hospital. Thanks to the quick thinking of Chris and Danielle, this guest is alive today and coincidentally celebrated her birthday on the same day our lifeguards received their awards from the Red Cross.
Danielle, who has worked on our Aquatics team for nine and a half years, said she is just thankful she was in the area so she could assist the guest in her time of need. It was the first time she had to provide CPR to a guest in her tenure at the resort, and she is relieved that the situation had a happy ending.
Chris, who has worked on our Aquatics team for seven and a half years, echoed Danielle’s remarks. “While it is a big honor to receive this award from the Red Cross who provides our lifeguard training, it’s an even bigger satisfaction knowing our guest got to experience another birthday and more of what life has to offer because of our efforts.”
Both Danielle and Chris say that everyone should take the time to be CPR certified and trained on how to use an AED because you never know when the time may arise when you will need to help someone.
Darin, our Aquatics director said, “I am overjoyed that Danielle and Chris received this noteworthy recognition from Red Cross. I am so proud with how far they have grown in their careers. They both started as slide attendants and now are managers overseeing others in our Aquatics Department. These awards, which came as a surprise to them, are a very touching way to say thank you for a job well done. They will never forget saving this woman’s life and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts.”