A boy "died twice" before being saved by a 16-year-old who learned his first aid with the Scouts. Isaac Toon carried out CPR on the youngster for around 30 minutes after he took ill at a popular beauty spot.
He stepped in after seeing the incident unfold as he relaxed with friends at Sparth Reservoir in Marsden, Huddersfield. And after putting him in the recovery position he drew on his skills learned as a Scout to save the boy who was aged around 13-14.
Despite the boy stopping breathing twice, Isaac kept his cool while they waited for emergency services to arrive. Now he has been praised for his determination and hailed "a hero".
Isaac, who wants to be a joiner, told how he spotted something happening on the banks of the reservoir at about 6.30pm on Monday, reports Yorkshire Live. Despite first thinking it was a fight he suddenly realised it was something serious.
He said: "I was with some friends and just saw loads of people walking away and screaming, I thought it was like a fight or something. This guy was rolling about on the floor, dribbling and stuff.
"I put him in the recovery position while someone rang for an ambulance. There were times when he stopped breathing but I kept going. Fortunately, I have done First Aid training with the Scouts. I must have given him CPR for 30 minutes. It was scary, there were times when he went cold and limp.
"He died twice at the scene but we kept going, you can't panic, my adrenaline was pumping. It must have been 45 minutes before the emergency services arrived. There was a big crowd of people around us, maybe 150-200. I'm not sure what triggered his fit. I think he had been there for a few hours, it's an open water swimming area.
"Afterwards my friends asked if I was OK and later my dad Pete said how proud he was of me and my mum Marianne gave me a hug and started crying."
His outstanding performance drew more than sparked a rush of comments on the Marsden community Facebook page with more than 170 posting on what a hero he was. One woman said: "I want to pay public tribute to a 16-year-old who yesterday performed CPR and saved a life. What an absolute credit he is to his family and his community, and a reminder that it's always worth learning this life-saving skill.
"The more people who learn CPR, the better chance we have to keep each other safe. Credit to the Scouts too for having previously taught him the recovery position." Another woman added: "Wow! Amazing. Bet his parents are proud of him" while another said: "Well done Isaac, what a lad!"
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