By Pat Kondas, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Public Affairs
On August 21, 2024, Wyoming Red Cross Executive Director Janet Lewis presented American Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards to three Converse County District #1 teachers and their CPR instructor. Teachers Chris Dutcher, Drew Hodgs and Justin Hoopman acted quickly and decisively to save a student’s life when a water safety demonstration turned into a crisis.
On the afternoon of Feb. 7, 2024, the eighth graders from the local middle school in Douglas, Wyo. were participating in water safety lessons as part of their required PE curriculum. A student jumped into the water to simulate a distressed swimmer while a partner practiced throwing a circular emergency flotation device to demonstrate the retrieval of a swimmer in need. The student portraying the distressed swimmer went under water and did not resurface.
Drew Hodgs dove in and retrieved the student from the bottom of the pool. Chris Dutcher also jumped in and assisted Hodgs with the retrieval. They got the student up onto the deck of the pool and assessed the student. They realized the student was not presenting any respiration and had a very weak pulse. Dutcher began chest compressions. Hodgs was preparing to give the two rescue breaths when the student regurgitated the water and regained consciousness.
Simultaneously, fellow teacher Justin Hoopman activated the emergency action plan. He was able to get all other students out of the pool, clear the pool deck, and immediately call 9-1-1. After making the call, these three worked alongside school personnel and local law enforcement to ensure student safety remained the top priority. EMS services arrived on scene and immediately worked with all other partnered entities to provide the necessary care and treatment needed. Due to the heroic acts of these three men, the student survived the incident and is currently recovering.
Wyoming Red Cross Executive Director Janet Lewis presented the three with the Livesaving Award for Professional Responders, which is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.
In addition to the three Responder recipients, Lewis also presented the American Red Cross Lifesaving Instructor Award to Zachery Olivarez, who was their CPR instructor and who nominated the three for the awards. The Instructor Award is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to instructors who teach the skills that help to save or sustain lives.
In presenting the awards, Lewis said “Heroes – the brave men and women willing to step forward and help a stranger during their greatest time of need – they’re all around us. But these individuals are not common – because to act quickly and decisively during a crisis takes a level of courage reserved only for a chosen few.”
Lewis said, “It is our hope that these heroic actions inspire others to get trained in Red Cross skills that save lives.”