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How To Save A Life
My friend Thomas Cantrell went to Florida a few weeks ago and left with a tan and a life lesson on how to save a life.
Thomas saved the life of a young woman who was drowning. He also saved her dad, who was trying to rescue her and got into trouble himself.
I asked Thomas what he attributed his courage and lifesaving skills to, and he said that everything he learned about rescues he learned when he was a teenager.
60 years later, it all came back in a flash.
At 76, Thomas was the oldest person on the beach.
Thomas said, “We never know what preparation is getting us ready for. Something I had fun learning as a kid seemed like something I'd likely never use. Why? Because no one drowns on the college swim team – they just get yelled at by the coach.
But 60 years later, it mattered.
Maybe whatever we're learning today might also seem indulgent and might not do us a dang bit of good for the next 20 or 30 years, but then something unexpected happens, and it becomes the most valuable thing we know.
I was on the beach with my family. My wife was taking a nap, and I was going over to check on her when I noticed somebody about a hundred yards offshore, out where the waves were breaking. Something just looked wrong. I didn't know what the problem was; I didn't even think about it; I just raced to the water.
I wasn't 76 years old when I splashed into the ocean. I was 20 again. I'd been swimming all day already, and I'd been out past the breakers at least three different times, so I should have been worn out. But I wasn't, and it wasn't because of adrenaline. I know adrenaline. I'm dealing with adrenaline right now, telling you this story. Adrenaline makes you shaky, but I was calm as I could be.
I had been trained to dive and swim when I took lifeguard training as a kid. I knew that when you dive in, you never let your head go under the water. You always keep your eyes on the person you're trying to rescue.
How To Save A Life
When I hit the water, I saw that somebody else was swimming towards her too. He was already about fifty yards from her, and I was three times as far. But when I heard her scream, I knew this was serious and sped up. I got to her just after the other guy got there, and she already had him in a neck lock, and they were both going under.
He gasped, “Go for help.”
I said, “I am help. You go.”
I don't know if he threw her at me or if she just came toward me in a panic. But the next thing I knew, she wrapped her arms around me like a vise and tried to climb on top of me to save herself from drowning.
I knew exactly what to do. I dove straight down underwater.
When you're in this situation, you force yourself down under the surface, and they'll let you go because they're trying to get air, and you disappear beneath them.
Then I came up behind her and grabbed her by the hips. You don't hold their back, body, or legs. Hips are the one part that will rotate the entire body. I grabbed her hips and turned her towards the beach. I came up behind her, took a breath, and started talking.
“Look at the beach. Look at your dad. Look over there. Look at all the people. Keep going. You'll be fine.”
Everything I told her was constructive. I told her what to do, not what not to do.
“A wave is coming up behind us, and it will help us. Just keep looking at the beach.”
I could feel the trough in front of the big wave that was bearing down on us. And I knew that the wave was about to hit us. And that's a good thing because right after the wave hits, you can travel 30 yards with three good kicks.
And then you wait for the next wave. You don't try to move forward, you don't struggle; you just wait.
I told her, “Keep looking at the beach. Keep looking at your dad. God is here to help us. The waves are here to help us. The ocean is your friend. Let's have fun.”
When we were about 30 yards from the beach, we saw people wading out to help us. They were coming out with the rescue surfboards they'd grabbed from the lifeguard stand.
They brought two, but she wouldn't leave me to climb on one alone, so we both grabbed mine and paddled to the shore.”
I asked Thomas what he had learned from this experience.
He told me there were two big lessons:
First, “Preparation sets you free.” Even though Thomas hadn't done lifeguard training in over 50 or 60 years, it all came back to him when he needed it most.
Second, he said, “Always focus on the positive. Make sure you say what is, not what isn't. Tell people what not to do; that's what they'll hear; and they will do exactly what you tell them not to do.
Tell people what to do, and they'll do it.
And you might just save a life.”
Fantastic story, wonderfully woven into a message. Thanks Bruce!
Thank you Rick.
what a great story to end my day on. thanks!
Thank you Milo.
This was fantastic, Bruce. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Charlie.
You know why this touches me in particular. I don’t talk much about past experiences because it’s painful. But I felt that the overall message and story warranted a reply.
Yes, your knowledge will come back to you. And, stay positive!
Being the talented and dedicated runner you are, Tim, I believe you’ll appreciate this.
The first time I tripped and fell while I was running, I executed a perfect Zempo Ukemi (front roll) just like we had been taught (and practiced at least one thousand times) in JuJitsu class.
The funny thing was I hadn’t practiced JuJitsu in probably 30 years. But there I was, lying on my back with my right arm outstretched, without having any idea how in the world I had done that.
What an experience – thank you for sharing this wonderful story!
Thank you Karen. I can see you smiling from here.
I lOVED reading this story. And you never know, perhaps I’ll find myself in a situation where I can help knowing what I now know.
You’ve already helped me immeasurably with what you know Brian. And I’m sure you’ve done it for many others as well.
Great! Great! Great Story!!! Great advice!!! Positivity can save a life. Maybe your own.
Thanks Skip! Love the energy and enthusiasm in your comment!
THANK YOU for another inspirational story from you that give me so many positive thoughts and inspiration about how special many people are on an everyday basis.
This is a time when we need to share all the good in the world… so many people make a difference everyday. Thank you the motivation to continue to think positively!
You are right, David. Thank you for your kind words.
A wonderful piece Bruce. Good things happen when preparation meets opportunity!
Thanks Mario.
As someone who is about your age, and who took senior lifesaving when I was 16, I can completely identify with almost every action in your story. Except, when she lunged at me I would have spun her around and controlled her with my left hand firmly under her chin (from behind her) and my left forearm hard against her left shoulder while swimming efficiently towards shore using my powerful sidestroke.
The positive verbiage is a nice idea which we were not taught. It was all about getting into complete control and not having to rely on any cooperation from the victim.
Thanks Bill.
To be clear, that’s Thomas’ story (and age) not mine. But when I did my own lifeguard training, I was also taught the reach across method that they showed you.
Also, Thomas stressed to me that he learned his talk technique not as a lifeguard but in his years as a therapist.
What am incredible and inspirational story…there are so many lessons and take aways – thank you for sharing!
Thank you Sarah.
Thank you Bruce and Thomas for posting this story.
I could not
Be more moved. On
More levels than i can grasp.
Thanks for letting us know Leah.