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Council honors MRAC lifeguards for May 13 deep-water rescue
Summary
Moab recognized two lifeguards for a deep-water rescue at the Moab Regional Aquatic Center on May 13; city and EMS officials credited training and rapid action for saving a patron’s life and presented plaques and certificates of appreciation.
Moab city leaders on May 26 publicly honored two lifeguards who pulled a patron from the deep end of the Moab Regional Aquatic Center during a May 13 deep-water rescue.
"This was May 13 at the aquatic center. We actually had to perform a deep water rescue," said Patrick Trim, parks, recreation and trails director, who introduced the presentation and praised the guards’ training and vigilance. Trim said lifeguards recognized the emergency, responded quickly, and used a backboard as part of the team rescue.
Ryan Moran, the MRAC aquatic manager, called the incident "a complicated rescue that was performed on a busy day in a pool full of people" and said practice and frequent training allowed staff to execute under stress. An EMS responder who arrived on scene told the council he believed the quick action prevented a fatality.
The mayor presented plaques to the two guards identified by staff as Soren and Blake; councilmembers and EMS representatives also gave small lifesaving awards signed by medical directors. The city noted EMS praised the guards’ on-site crowd control and care while they awaited ambulance clinicians.
City leaders said they will use the incident as part of ongoing training and encouraged community support for aquatic-center staffing and programs.
