SOUTH COUNTY– A unique reunion occurred in Shenandoah on Tuesday, but the person at the center of it appeared unimpressed. Little Steven Ngyn, who turned 6 in June, sat clenching a giant teddy bear as the lifeguards, medics, and his dad celebrated his life.
David Artificavitch, Montgomery County EMS Director, said the event was unusual in more ways than one. Typically, when people are recognized for using CPR to save a life the patient was an adult, Artificavitch said. The incident was also unusual in that those who did the most crucial parts of saving the boy’s life were not medics, he said.
“For CPR to work, it takes a chain of survival, and for that to work the first part of it is bystander CPR and early notification,” Artificavitch said.
The near tragedy occurred just over two months ago. The Ngyn family had relocated to Texas from Connecticut and decided to take advantage of the warm climate with some swimming lessons. Steven Ngyn had taken about half of the lessons in the two week course and was moments from leaving the Mary Pat Case Municipal Pool when disaster struck. His dad said he turned away for just a moment to adjust a poolside umbrella as Steven played in shallow water.
Mr. Ngyn, who is a physician, said he heard an “alarming voice” calling out for help. He turned around and saw a child that looked “blue” being removed from the water by two lifeguards. Ngyn then realized the child was his son.
It was only lifeguard David Baker’s second day on the job. He said he looked from his stand out into the pool and spotted Steven “kind of floating in the middle of the pool,” and not moving. Baker blew his whistle twice and rushed to get the lifeless boy out of the pool. Jackie Fraser, a 5-year-veteran lifeguard, and the most experienced on duty, saw the commotion and shouted for someone to call 911.
It was also lifeguard Chris Hardy’s second day on the job, but he too reacted like a pro. The 17-year-old did not panic, but dialed 911 and carefully gave them the information to get medics en route.
Meanwhile, lifeguard Madison Parrish rushed over to help perform CPR.
After two rescue breaths and about 25 chest compressions, Steven vomited and the lifeguards turned him onto his side in the “recovery position.”
Medics arrived and had to convince Dr. Ngyn to take his son to the hospital. Steven was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where his dad is on staff. He was kept overnight for observation and released the next morning.
Dr. Ngyn thanked all those involved in saving his son, calling it a “wonderful experience.” The lifeguards received plaques for their efforts, along with call taker Andy Adams; dispatcher Melissa Crivelli; and medics Brenda Jaszkowiak and Julie Siamanonok.
The week following his near drowning, Steven Ngyn returned to the pool and completed his swimming lessons.
