Members of the Abreast with FORTitude Dragon boat team of 91原创 received a Red Cross First Aid and Water Safety Rescuer Award Friday (July 11) for saving a drowning man in April.
The rowers, all breast cancer survivors, were practicing on Bedford Channel when a man who was rowing in another boat fell in.
He could not swim.
The team paddled at race pace, pulled up alongside the man, tossed him a personal flotation device, and guided him to shore where paramedics were waiting
鈥淚 am very proud of my teammates and that is why I nominated them for this award, said team member Cindy Reimer.
鈥淲e stayed calm and did not panic, we listened to our coach and steersperson and did our best to get to the man as quickly as we could to help him.鈥�
The Rescuer Award recognizes acts of humanity that use Red Cross skills and training learned through water safety, first aid and swim programs.
鈥淲hat Abreast with FORTitude did took tremendous courage and teamwork,鈥� said Tania Burgi, Red Cross water safety program representative.
To learn more about Red Cross services visit:redcross.ca/bc.
