Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: AMYD

Quick Words:

McCrodden-lifeguard-lifesaving

Full Text:

w/photo Newtown Youth's Lifesaving Skills Come To The Rescue In North Carolina

B Y A MY D'O RIO

Although David McCrodden of Brookwood Drive is a lifeguard, he never expected

he would hear someone say: "You saved my life."

Working at Dickinson Park is not like life guarding at a seaside beach with

rip tides and undertows, he said.

But, on a trip to North Carolina this summer, the Newtown High School senior

put his skills as a swimmer and lifeguard to a spontaneous test.

He towed a father and son, as well as his own father, into shore through a

heavy undertow.

Upon a safe arrival to the beach, the man, his wife and the young boy thanked

David.

"It was weird to hear someone say, `You saved my life.' It was really actually

kind of cool," said David, a swim team captain.

As for his father, David let his Dad off easy.

"I made my Dad buy me a Mountain Dew. I was thirsty," said the 17-year-old.

David and his family traveled to North Carolina this summer to look at

colleges and universities. The big news upon their return, however, was not

about schools. It was about David's lifesaving adventure.

One day on the beach, David said he was wading out in the water toward his

father when he heard someone yell for help.

He looked around and there was a man and young boy hanging onto a body board.

"There were no markers, but the water there was definitely above their heads,"

he said.

David said he swam over to them, amazed that the lifeguards on the beach were

not noticing this man was frantically waving his arms at them. The man

explained he and his small son could not get back to the beach due to the

strong current.

David started to pull them, when he said his father, who was coming toward

them, yelled for help as well.

With three in tow, David began to move slowly toward shore. Finally, the

lifeguards noticed the problem and came out to help.

By the time, David reached the shore, the fit teen said he was exhausted from

the exertion. The lifeguards raised red flags on the beaches, and no one was

allowed to swim out into deep water.

Despite the attention he was getting, David said the incident left him with a

weird feeling.

"It was almost like a state of depression. I can't really explain it," he

said.

The rest of that day was spent on dry land. David said his mother would not

let him back in the water.