Great Falls water park near-drowning sparks changes

On Saturday evening, emergency crews responded to a call that a 12 year old boy was found at the bottom of the deepest end of the pool at the Electric City Water Park.

The boy remains hospitalized at Benefis, but reports indicate that his conditions is improving and he is alert and responsive.water paddle boats

On Monday, reporter Erin Schermele talked with 13 year old Brenda Becker, who discovered the boy, and with Jennifer Reichelt, the deputy City Manager. found out what the Park and Recreation department is doing to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Brenda told us that after going off a slide into the deep end of the pool, she made a scary discovery.bumper boats

She recalled, "It looked like a towel at the bottom of the pool. So I went after I came back up, I went all the way back down to see what it was and it was the boy."

Becker says the boy was blue and she tried to get him up but he was too heavy.water roller ball

Becker said, "I went back up, told the lifeguard there was a boy at the bottom of the pool. Well, she jumped in and brought him back up, and she started yelling, 'Does anybody know CPR?'"

City officials say the lifeguard who made the rescue did assist with resuscitation of the victim, along with another citizen at the party,

Deputy City manager Jennifer Reichelt said, "All of our lifeguards are trained in CPR. So they know CPR, they know first aid. They know how to respond and they do that extremely well."water walking balls

Reichelt says the lifeguards on duty acted immediately according to their emergency protocol procedures.

However, Reichelt did say the pool will be making some changes to better ensure that something like this doesn't happen again.

Lifeguard towers will now be moved around in the evening to combat sun glare, and officials are also looking into putting a black striping at the bottom of the pool, so guards can see what is on the bottom of the pool better.inflatable product

They know the importance of keeping the guards alert and hydrated, and they will maintain continuous training about real life scenarios such as this one.playisland

Reichelt said, "I would tell the residents and citizens of Great Falls to definitely feel safe about using our pools. Our lifeguards go through extensive training. They swim, they practice, every week."

Becker said, "I'm still shocked that it happened. The lifeguard should have been watching and with her up in the air, she could have seen that there was something down in the pool."

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