Windber, Pa. (WJAC) — Friday afternoon, it was just a normal day at Windber Recreation Pool in Somerset County.
That was until local EMTs, paramedics, lifeguards, and pool managers came together to simulate a possible drowning.
Organizers called it "Water Safety Day" to demonstrate what would happen in the case of a real water emergency.
"I hope it helps everybody. The lifeguards to know what could happen, and to always be aware, and the public. There are three lifeguards, and how many individuals in the pool? Everybody has to look out for everybody else," said Misty Plunkard, the Outreach Coordinator and EMT for Northern EMS and the Windber Fire Company.
A male actor appeared to struggle in the deep end of the pool, and a lifeguard rushed in to "save" him.
Pool managers blew their whistles, cleared everybody out of the pool, and called 911.
EMS arrived at the scene where they performed CPR on a mannequin next to the actor.
They even simulated taking the actor to the hospital for a further evaluation.
The lifeguard who saved the day, Morgan Weaver, has been a lifeguard at Windber Rec Pool for the last five years.
She took the simulation very seriously, telling the actor during the exercise, "I'm a lifeguard, I'm going to save you."
"It was kind of crazy. I've had to save people before, but nothing ever like that. It was nice to practice that just in case anything were to happen," said Weaver.
The kids involved with the Windber Recreation Day camp were expecting to feel happy today...not shocked and frightened.
Once the exercise was over, they were moved to a nearby pavilion for a water safety presentation.
They taught the kids to always swim with a buddy, wear life jackets when on a boat, never leave the gate open to a pool, and get swimming lessons.
"You can have some fun in the water, but you don't want to have too much horseplay. At home, you don't want to mix alcohol with swimming, because you want to be aware of your surroundings. You don't want to be on your cell phone too much, because you want to be able to know what's happening," said Plunkard.
Pool managers say the Windber Recreation Pool will be open longer this year since many families are opting for more outdoor activities due to COVID-19.
So, that's exactly why they say this demonstration was needed now.
"It's just one of those things we put together, because with everything that's going on in today's world, everybody is moving to outdoor activities. Why not bring some safety awareness while they're going out, and maybe put in the back of their head?" said Plunkard.
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