Vernon

Photo: Contributed - airephoto

Laura Hitchen's lifeguard training came in good use earlier this month.

Hitchen, a lifeguard at the Vernon Recreation Complex, is being lauded as a hero after saving a 13-month old boy from choking.

Back on January 3, parent Melaney McKay was in the Recreation Complex changing room when she noticed a quarter was missing from the bench and her 13-month old son Blaine McKay was choking.

She brought Blaine out of the change room, onto the deck, and told Hitchen what she suspected.

Hitchen immediately dropped to one knee and began performing the back blow procedure to dislodge the quarter.

She notified another guard to make a 911 call.

Hitchen did six back blows. Blaine screamed and vomited, but no quarter appeared.

She repeated the back blows three or four more times and the baby cried and coughed up the quarter. EMT’s arrived shortly afterwards.

McKay has indicated that she was “very pleased” with Hitchen's actions. 

Photo: Contributed - airephoto

Happy dad Vincent McKay and baby Blaine

“Laura was very calm” and “acted like it was an everyday thing," says McKay

Her calm demeanour made McKay "feel calm”.

“Laura handled it wonderfully”.

An anonymous witness of the situation filled out a comment card at the front desk and gave City of Vernon Recreation Complex Staff 5 out of 5 ratings on staff courtesy, facility cleanliness, skill and competence of staff and overall service quality. 

The anonymous witness wrote: “Witnessed Lifeguard Laura Hitchen save an infant that was choking on a quarter. She was calm and cool and well trained. Good job Laura.”