Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action presented for heroic efforts
SAN JOSE (CA) July 27, 2023 — In April 2023, during the Pacific Masters Swimming Championship hosted by Morgan Hill’s Aquatic Center, Mirna Skracic, Jesse Doan, David Jerez, Alex Muncy, Perrin Payan Lawler, Kamren Cabreros, Julian Dominguez and Suzie Nguyen worked collectively to save the life of an 89-year-old man who became unresponsive in the water. For this heroic and lifesaving action, they received the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in a ceremony in San Jose on July 19, 2023.
“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Ken Toren, Executive Director for the Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter. “The way they worked demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication. Sometimes, saving a life takes a group effort. We are proud of all that they did and how they handled this emergency situation.”
From April 14 to 16, the City of Morgan Hill hosted the Pacific Masters Swimming Championship at the Morgan Hills Aquatics Center. On the last day of the competition, an 89-year-old participant suffered an illness and ended up being unresponsive in the water. Lifeguard Mirna Skracic was the first to respond, jumping into the water and helping bring the man near the wall where the Aquatics Specialist Julian Dominguez and Lifeguard Alex Muncy were waiting with a backboard. Once out of the water, the Aquatic Center Coordinator Suzie Nguyen started performing CPR. She attached and operated the AED while her colleagues called 911. In the meantime, the rest of the team assisted in clearing the pool and ensured other participants did not re-enter the water. Their collective effort was the key to sustaining the man’s life until first responders arrived.
Pictures of the event can be viewed here
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Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass
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The American Red Cross shelters feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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