In July 2020, Shane Ryan was surfing near Bird Rock Beach in La Jolla when he used his First Aid training to help save the life of a gentleman who fell off a nearby cliff into the water. For his heroic and lifesaving actions, Shane was honored this week by the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties and was awarded the Lifesaving Award Certificate of Merit, one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross.
“We’re extremely proud of Shane and his willingness to put his training into action. Shane’s quick response and immediate action in a time of need truly embodies the spirit and mission of the Red Cross.”
- Sean Mahoney, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Southern California Region
In July 2020, Shane Ryan was surfing near Bird Rock Beach in La Jolla when he used his First Aid training to help save the life of a gentleman who fell off a nearby cliff into the water. For his heroic and lifesaving actions, Shane was honored this week by the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties and was awarded the Lifesaving Award Certificate of Merit, one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross.
“We’re extremely proud of Shane and his willingness to put his training into action,” said Sean Mahoney, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Southern California Region. “Shane’s quick response and immediate action in a time of need truly embodies the spirit and mission of the Red Cross.”
On July 22, 2020, Shane was enjoying the day surfing near Bird Rock Beach in La Jolla when he noticed a gentleman fall into the water off a high cliff. The gentleman screamed as he entered the water. Shane paddled toward the individual and saw that he was near the reef in visible pain. Shane quickly brought him to the shore. Once ashore Shane performed an assessment and advised a bystander to contact 9-1-1. Shane continued to stay with the gentleman and evaluate him until the Emergency Medical Services arrived. Without a doubt, Shane’s quick and appropriate action and the skills he learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course helped to save the life of this individual.
For this heroic action, Shane was awarded the Lifesaving Awards Certificate of Merit. This is one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross to an individual who sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.
American Red Cross Training Services teaches lifesaving skills to an average of more than 9 million people each year, including thousands of people in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Red Cross training empowers people with 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.
Visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate and recognize an individual or group of individuals who have used the skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain a life.
