A Montreal man learned a lesson on life and death after a drowning ordeal in the St. Lawrence River. Luckily, he was saved by a couple on their Sea-Doo.
Timely water rescue
Benjamin Spiridonov was surfing on the St. Lawrence River close to Habitat ’67 when the safety cord on his boat broke away. He dropped into the water and the strong current washed him down the river, making it difficult for him to breathe. At one point, he was near the surface and was able to reach out his hand out of the water.
Three men in a boat noticed him and signaled Jocelyn Bordeleau and his partner Sonia Dupuis who were on Sea-Doos.
According to Bordeleau, after seeing the hand, it was only his hair. They pulled the man out of the water and with the help of another man, performed CPR. When he was pulled out of the water and into the platform, he was all white and blue.
The Coast Guard soon arrived and transported Spiridonov to a healthcare facility.
Why you need first aid training
According to Dupuis, the ordeal was ultimately gratifying. Knowing that we made a difference is rewarding, not only to the life of the man but also to his family. This is possible with the help of first aid and CPR training. You never know when emergencies arise, but it best that you are prepared to help.
Spiridonov said that he will continue with his water activities, specifically windsurfing but safety will be his main priority from now on. He plans on including an inflatable belt just in case.
For more information about this story, click here.
LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in first aid and CPR class and for more information, check out these sources: