Lifeguards Make Dramatic Rescue At Greenbrier State Park

Boonsboro, Md. (July 28, 2010) — Lifeguards at Greenbrier State Park made a dramatic rescue when they pulled an unconscious 17-year-old Falls Church, Va. girl from the park lake on July 25 around 4:50 p.m.

“Our trained lifeguards perform physically and mentally demanding work each day, while protecting the citizens who depend on them,” said John Griffin, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “The team at Greenbrier State Park did what was asked of them without hesitation. I commend them for their quick thinking and fast reaction in saving this young girl’s life.”

Lifeguard Hannah Petro, 19 of Sharpsburg, spotted the teen, who appeared unconscious in the lake. Petro alerted the other lifeguards on duty as she went to aid the victim. She pulled the girl out of the water to the lake’s edge as her brother, lifeguard Matt Petro, 25, also of Sharpsburg, came to assist her.

The brother and sister team quickly assessed the victim’s condition and found she wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. The lifeguards began chest compressions and rescue breathing.

Beach Ranger Dave Naftalin of Bethesda and lifeguard Jeff Haney of Williamsport helped perform CPR and provided oxygen and suction as the teen became responsive. The girl struggled to breathe on her own and was administered oxygen and kept stable. The staff monitored the teen’s vital signs until emergency medical personnel arrived.

The girl was transported to Washington County Hospital and then moved to Fairfax Hospital where she is improving in a critical care unit.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov