Between them, Volunteer Red Cross Water Safety Instructors Brian Kellar, Bob Sorensen and George Vinet have more than 100 years of Red Cross aquatics experience. This vital training prepared the men to help perform an extraordinary rescue on Sunday, February 10, during the Public Schools Athletic League Open Swimming and Diving Championships for high school students, held at Lehman College in the Bronx.

George, a senior teacher of Health, Swimming and Physical Education, as well as the Swim Coach at Staten Island's Curtis High School, was watching the diving preliminaries with his team when Dmitri, a 17-year-old Brooklyn Tech junior, attempted a reverse dive off the one-meter board. Dmitri"s forehead hit the diving board. "Then he catapulted back in the air before hitting the water,” said George. The audience fell silent.

George saw that Dmitri had not risen to the surface, and his arms and legs were flexed.  “That means there’s a potential for head or brain injury. And I saw his lungs were giving out air. I yelled, 'Help him!’”

George ran the length of the pool as the downed swimmer was brought to pool’s end by several fellow divers. Worried that Dmitri might have sustained a spinal injury, George performed inline stabilization on the boy from the pool deck, holding Dmitri’s head steady between his hands, a risky rescue if not done properly. (The head is stabilized so there’s no chance of cutting the spinal cord.)

In short order, NYU Swim Coach and Red Cross Volunteer Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Bob Sorensen, and Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Brian Kellar, both meet officials, reached Dmitry. They pulled off their shirts and shoes and entered the water.

George asked Dmitry if he was okay. The boy blew out mucus and water. “Yeah,” he said.  George then transitioned the inline stabilization process to Brian, while holding Dmitry beneath Brian's arms to keep both the victim's and rescuer's airways clear.

Meanwhile, Bob submerged the backboard and started securing the straps that would tightly package Dmitry to the board. Curtis High School Assistant Swim Coach and NYC firefighter Dave Caputo then held the backboard close to the water’s surface so neither Brian's nor Dmitry’s airways would be compromised as Bob snugly-strapped Dmitry to the board.

By now, George’s wife Ann Marie, also an EMT, got School Safety to call 911 to get an ambulance to the scene. Mr. D., a parent from Staten Island’s Tottenville High School and an EMT, also entered the water to assist.

The event announcer assured the crowd of approximately 1,000 (including Dmitri’s parents) that the rescuers were Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors and had the situation under control.

George continued his EMT assessments - he established that there was no open wound or deformities, and asked Dmitri to wiggle his toes and fingers, say his name, the day of the week, and where he was. Dmitri complied with every request, a positive sign.

A fire department unit arrived and started Dmitri on medical oxygen, which is used to control bleeding. Worried that the young man might have a brain hemorrhage, George continued to ask him his name, day of the week, etc. A NYC ambulance arrived and transported Dmitri to Manhattan’s Cornell Medical Hospital. Within an hour, word came back that an MRI showed that Dmitri was fine.

“I’m thankful to the entire team, and their Red Cross training,” said George. “They got this kid out of the water quickly, safely and in-line stabilized according to the Red Cross standard of care.” The goal, he said, is the “10-20-30 second rule,” a national standard for lifeguards: 10 seconds to locate the distressed swimmer, 20 seconds to have the right equipment in hand, and 30 seconds to clear the person’s airway.

“I’m grateful I could assist,” added Bob. “Diving can be dangerous; it’s important that trained personnel are on site. Thankfully three Red Cross trained instructors were there to help prevent further injury.”

Brian said, “I love the Red Cross. It’s a community of lifeguards that care about training kids the right way and improving the swimming capability of kids throughout the city.”

“Everyone was calm, cool and collected,” concluded George. “My hat is off to Bob, Brian, Mr. D., my wife Ann Marie, and David Caputo. That’s what the Red Cross is all about – service to humanity. Each of these people served well.”