Walla Walla Teen Saved Teammate’s Life With Lifeguard Training
Colby Turner was honored this spring by the American Red Cross for using his Red Cross CPR training to save a life. The life was that of his Walla Walla High School Track teammate during a meet last year.
The victim sat down after a heat to catch his breath. Knowing he has asthma, Turner, then a junior, went to check on him. The teammate fell down and had a seizure.
Following his CPR training received to be a YMCA lifeguard, Turner turned him on his side so he didn't choke. But after the seizure Turner could not detect a heart beat. Using chest compressions and a defibrillator, the heart beat was restored and the student was flown to Spokane for treatment.
Turner's boss at the YMCA aquatic center nominated him for the national award -- the top honor given by the Red Cross.