New Lifeguard Earns His Wings
Author: mt43news staff reporter
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Urijah Duede, a newly minted lifeguard at the city pool, earned his wings July 17 during the Slice of Summer open swimming time.
“It happened about 5 o’clock that day. Since it was open swimming, there were about 30 people in the pool. I was watching those in the deep end, and my lifeguard partner was watching the shallow end. He saw her first, then when I saw her, I knew she was in trouble. She was struggling with her arms, and her eyes were wide open. It took me about 10 seconds to dive in and pull her up,” he said.
Urijah is fifteen and entering his sophomore year at Broadwater High School. He had never been a lifeguard but decided to apply for the job. He took the course online and passed the test. He said one of the important parts of the course is to recognize the signs of a person who is in distress in the water. After T.J. Steele, the lifeguard manager, put him through his paces, he has been busy fitting in with the other lifeguards who work from the time the pool opens for lessons in the morning until it closes at 4:00 in the afternoon.
Asked if he felt like a hero after saving the girl’s life, he replied: “Sure, it’s a great feeling. I’m glad I acted so quick.”
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Lifeguard Urijah Duede keeps an eye out for swimmers at the City Pool.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
