Son of local Engineer/Paramedic saves a woman's life

Karen Ossenfort

Special to the Village News

Saturday, May 21, turned out to be a providential day for Collin Crilly, the son of North County Fire Protection District Engineer/paramedic Nick Crilly.

The Chaparral High School Water Polo team, for which Collin plays, traveled to a Huntington Beach Tournament. They arrived and started warm up activities, when Collin noticed a woman in distress in the pool.

"She was unconscious with no pulse and not breathing. Collin quickly jumped into action taking control of the scene and directing numerous bystanders. He grabbed a backboard and pulled her out of the water," Nick said about his son.

"He initiated CPR, placed an Automated External Defibrillator, instructed bystanders on mouth-to-mask ventilations and delivered one shock," Nick said.

Huntington Beach Fire Department personnel arrived and took over patient care and upon arrival at the hospital she was responsive and breathing on her own, Nick stated.

Huntington Beach Fire was contacted but could not comment on the event due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance.

What makes this story so providential is that the day before, Collin practiced CPR skills in Mr. Rentar's Kinesiology class at Chaparral High. The instructor gave Collin the assignment this last week to find three AED devices around the city.

"This helped Collin know exactly where to look around a pool in a city he had never been to in his life and equipped him with the skills and confidence to administer CPR to the patient," his father said.

And what makes this even more providential is that the Chaparral Water Polo team was at the wrong pool warming up, Nick said. Collin though, was in the right place at the right time.

Collin also works for the City of Temecula as a lifeguard in its Aquatics division.

"I want to thank Mr. Rentar and the City of Temecula Aquatics Department for the training Collin received to be able to perform this lifesaving rescue," Nick Crilly said.

John van Doorn, Director, North County Fire Prevention District, in an email to Village News wrote, "This is 'feel-good' news which we all need, and most importantly, drives home the point that we need to continue to make investments in emergency equipment, training, and awareness."

Van Doorn added that the provision of immediate aid in a life threatening situation has proven essential to individuals looking forward to full recovery. "It really drives home the point of AED devices, CPR training, and teaching situational awareness!"