96th H&R Award Recipients
The Lifesaving Society recognized volunteer commitment and rescue bravery at the 96th Annual Commonwealth Honour & Rescue Awards on Saturday, March 29, 2008, Hotel Vancouver
HONOUR AWARDS
CERTIFICATE OF THANKS
Awarded to those who have dedicated a minimum of two years service to the Society in a volunteer capacity.
SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to those who have dedicated a minimum of four years of service to the Society in a volunteer capacity.
PRESIDENT’S PLAQUE
Selected by the President of the B.C. & Yukon Branch for invaluable volunteer service given in promoting
the Society and its aims.
RESCUE AWARDS
SILVER MEDAL FOR MERIT
To acknowledge meritorious service in saving lives.
- Deanna Cann
- James George
- Mike Ingenthron
- Caroline Mignon
- Ariel Griffith
- Iris Unger
- Jocelyn Unger
- St. Clair McColl
- Mary Paul
- Jonathan Yardley
SILVER MEDAL FOR BRAVERY
To acknowledge rescues involving significant acts of bravery.
- Michael Anderson
- Brent Blackmore
- Shane Nicoll
- Glen Watts
- Troy Dalton (merit)
- Jon Bula (merit)
- Richard Juryn (posthumous)
- Graham Tutti
- Andrew Choi
- Sean Deakin
- William McKinnon
- Caleb Gillett
- Donald Gough
- Blair Haaf
- Larry Rivard
- Kyle Jenkins
M.G. GRIFFITHS AWARD
Awarded to a proficiency award holder who applied skill and knowledge gained through Lifesaving Society programsto aid a victim of an aquatic emergency.
GEORGE A. BROWN MEMORIAL MEDAL
In memory of late Branch Governor, George A. Brown, this award is presented to a pre-teen performing the most courageous aquatic rescue of the year. This young hero’s medal, bearing the Brown family arms & motto ‘Courage and Determination’ is accompanied by a scholarship of $500.
GOVERNOR’S GOLD MEDAL
Chosen by the Governor of the B.C. & Yukon Branch and presented for the most heroic rescue of the year.
- Caleb Gillett
HONOUR AWARDS
Sarah Carlos
As a lifeguard/instructor wanting to give back to the organization that helped provide her employment, Sarah has volunteered for the Lifesaving Society in many ways. She has represented the Society at trade shows, but most of her volunteer hours have been spent in the Branch office as an assistant willing to do whatever was needed to support Society programs.
Dave Lyon
After serving on the NLS Committee in the mid-nineties, Dave was the first recipient of the DB Perks/Lifesaving Society scholarship in 1995. From there he went on to attain a PhD and graduate from law school. He is currently teaching at Kwantlen College and is also working on a research project for the Lifesaving Society to profile a typical lifeguard in BC and determine what training components of the current program are most relevant in their work. Dave is a committed long-term volunteer for the Lifesaving Society.
Dan Marcotte
Lifeguard competitions are an excellent opportunity for lifeguards to practice their rescue and first aid skills in simulated conditions. After being a successful competitor, Dan Marcotte has spent hundreds of volunteer hours organizing and running various competitions including the provincial Barnsley competition. Dan is currently lending his technical and technological expertise to the National Lifeguard Service Committee as an active member.
Claire Nicole
Claire has made a late entry into the aquatics field, but with more energy than most 16 year old rookies. In addition to assisting in running lifeguard competitions, she has competed at the national level and each year lends her first aid skills as a volunteer first aid attendant at the Children’s Festival. Claire’s current passion is the Junior Lifeguard Club she runs each summer on Vancouver’s beaches.
Lars Bakstad
Having been a lifeguard competitor himself, Lars is now giving back to the field as an organizer of competitions and a senior judge and official. He has also volunteered in the role of instructor of new Jr. Lifeguard Club coaches and has been a member of the Competition Committee for the past four years.
Graham Esplen
Three years ago in Kamloops, Graham served as Meet Manager for the Canadian Lifeguard Championship and is a perennial senior official in provincial competitions. He has been a high level lifeguard competitor for years including winning the coveted Barnsley Shield twice as Branch Champion. Graham has recently completed his second term as Chair of the National Lifeguard Service Committee, the Society’s world-renowned lifeguard training program. His passion for lifeguarding instruction and background as a high school teacher provide great assistance to the continued development of the NLS program and we look forward to his continued excellent contribution.
Heath Mahoney
Currently an Aquatic Facility Manager in Coquitlam, Heath has been an active volunteer for the past twelve years. His extensive experience in the lifeguarding field has been very evident, whether in training new competitors, acting as judge at the annual Branch Lifeguard Championship, or in a leadership role as former Chair of the National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Committee. Heath is currently working on a committee to develop a training program for aquatic supervisors.
Jon MacKinnon
Jon began his involvement with the Society as a volunteer examiner in the Kootenays in the 1960’s. He continued his link with the Society in the role of Recreation Consultant for the provincial government and became Branch Governor in 1997. Jon has recently stepped down from that position, but will continue to represent the Branch on the Society’s National Board of Governors. He has served the Lifesaving Society well in a role of ambassador and Jon’s diplomacy and tact are evident in the fact that he often refers to his wife Joan as “the real Governor.” Many thanks to Jon for his years of commitment to the work of the Lifesaving Society.
RESCUE AWARDS
Deanna Cann,James George, Mike Ingenthron, Caroline Mignon
The Canadian Princess Resort in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island is a crown jewel in the family of fishing resorts operated by the Oak Bay Marine Group. It offers guests on-shore accommodations as well as cabins onboard the Canadian Princess ship, permanently anchored at a wharf in the Ucluelet Boat Basin.
Last August at around 3 am, server Caroline Mignon was preparing for the 4 am buffet for the early fishers when she heard what sounded like a cry for help. As she moved toward the window for a better view, she saw what appeared to be a man in the water, drifting away from shore and having difficulty staying afloat. She immediately notified the night guard, Mike Ingenthron, who called 911. She then summoned the help of breakfast cook, James George, and night auditor, Deanna Caan, and they headed to the dock to attempt to help the victim.
The man in the water was disoriented and in the darkness, seemed to be having a difficult time finding his way toward shore. With verbal coaxing, the group managed to guide the man to the dock. Once he was within reach, they struggled to lift the large, soaking wet man out of the water and onto the dock.
Once he was safely on the dock, the crew members began to warm him and provided first aid as needed. The man was agitated and having convulsions brought on by the combination of water in his lungs and the early stages of hypothermia. The rescuers were able to stabilize him until ambulance personnel arrived. He was taken to hospital, treated and released later that day.
He happened to meet up with his rescuers the next day and showed great appreciation for their hearing his calls and responding so quickly to save his life. Apparently he had been making his way back to the Ucluelet campground, fell into deep water and was unable to pull himself out.
A paramedic who responded to the call was very impressed with the actions of the Princess crew, calling the rescue “An extraordinary feat; the first aid they provided was appropriate and effective. There is no doubt that their actions saved his life.”
For their quick action, teamwork and extra level of customer service, we now present Silver Medals for Merit to Deanna Cann, James George, Mike Ingenthron and Caroline Mignon.
Ariel Griffith, Iris Unger,Jocelyn Unger
Near the end of a sunny day of boating on the waters of Burns Lake in northern BC, 16 year old Ariel Griffith was taking a last wakeboard run when she fell. Ariel’s aunt, Iris Unger, was acting as spotter in the boat and signaled to boat driver, Jocelyn Unger that Ariel had fallen, so they circle around to pick her up. While in the water, Ariel hears voices in the distance. It was a very secluded part of the lake and there were no other boats in the area.
Jocelyn cuts the motor so they can hear better and scan the water for the source of the distress calls. Jocelyn notices three bobbing heads about a kilometre away, so Ariel climbs into the boat and they race over to find three young men in the water struggling to stay afloat. All three are non-swimmers and are clinging to lifejackets attempting to reach land. The girls throw a wakeboard tow rope to the men, pull them toward the boat and assist them in climbing aboard.
Fortunately for the men, all three rescuers have some lifesaving or lifeguard training, so they immediately go into assessment mode, checking vital signs and getting the history of the incident. It appears the men had been drinking and were trying to break their old speed record in a 6 metre boat that flipped on a sharp turn, throwing the non-swimmers into the water. With darkness looming and safety on land about two kilometres away, these men were very lucky that Ariel went for that last wakeboard run as it was unlikely they would have made it to shore on their own.
Jocelyn later commented, “I hope others hear their story and are reminded of the vulnerability of life and the importance of being safe around open water.” For their presence of mind and rescue instincts, we are pleased to award Silver Medals of Merit to Ariel Griffith, Iris Unger and Jocelyn Unger.
St. Clair McColl,Mary Paul, Jonathan Yardley
Last March a 55 year old father and his 16 year old son were making the hour-long trip from Vancouver to Valdez Island in their 16 foot aluminum boat when they encountered mechanical problems. The water was choppy and without power or control, they bounced around on the waves until the boat suddenly capsized throwing them into the frigid waters of Georgia Strait. Fortunately, they were wearing survival suits, but could only cling to the overturned boat hoping they would be spotted.
About an hour later, St. Clair McColl, a 30 year veteran pilot and owner/operator of Saltspring Air was taking off from Coal Harbour in his DeHavilland Beaver on his last run of the day from Vancouver to Saltspring Island. On board were two regulars, Jonathan Yardley in the co-pilot seat and Mary Paul sitting in behind. About two kilometers off Point Grey, Mary was looking out the window and spotted something red in the water. Looking closer, she saw a person in a red suit and another in a blue suit and one was waving to them. Mary tapped St. Clair on the shoulder and motioned toward the water, but neither Saint nor Jonathan could see anything. Saint turned the plane around and spotted the people in the water. Despite very choppy water, he landed the plane close to the overturned boat and maneuvered it alongside. After several attempts, they were able to use a rope to pull the plane closer allowing the men to be pulled onto the floats.
The father was having severe leg cramps and had to crawl along the float on his hands and knees to reach the plane door where he was pulled inside. Once both were safe inside, Mary wrapped her pashmina around the boy’s head to prevent further heat loss. Thinking the rough water might force them to taxi all the way to the Richmond seaplane terminal, they began to move away from the boat. But using his skill and experience, St. Clair was able to take off, prompting a yell of delight from Mary. They radioed ahead for an ambulance that met the two boaters when they arrived at the seaplane terminal. They were treated for hypothermia and shock. Thankful for their rescue, the father and son later traveled to Saltspring Island to thank their rescuers. Jonathan later commented that he thinks St. Clair is the best pilot he knows and he doubts may other pilots could have landed in such rough conditions.
For their sharp eyes, skillful piloting and timely rescue, we are pleased to present Silver Medals of Merit to St. Clair McColl, Jonathan Yardley and Mary Paul.
Michael Anderson, Brent Blackmore, Shane Nicoll, Glen Watts
During the lunch hour on January 17 earlier this year, Nanaimo was disrupted by the crashing sound of a car careening through a guardrail on the Pearson Bridge and plunging down a steep embankment into the freezing water of Millstone River.
Glenn Watts was passing by, saw the crash and instantly ran down the riverbank to enter the water. When he reached the vehicle, the man appeared unconscious with his head down. Glenn knocked on the window, made eye contact with the driver and told him to unlock the door. The man tried to flip the lock open, but it wouldn’t go and then he passed out again.
By this time, another bystander, Brent Blackmore had jumped in the water and the two men desperately tried to open the door of the sinking car to free the driver. Several attempts to break the window failed until another bystander, Michael Anderson, brought a rock that allowed them to smash the rear window. Glenn entered the window through the broken glass, noticed smoke in the vehicle and found the victim still in his seatbelt. He lifted the driver’s head above the water, which by then had risen to his neck.
That’s when nearby off-duty police officer Constable Shane Nicol took a knife from an RCMP officer on the scene and entered the water. He handed the knife to Glenn so he could try to cut the seatbelt. All three men desperately tried to free the driver and hold his head above water, but the frigid water and exhaustion were taking their toll on the rescuers. With the car quickly sinking into the river, they were forced to abandon their efforts as a dive crew arrived to take over the rescue.
Despite the efforts of these four men and dive rescue personnel, sadly the driver did not survive his ordeal. Investigators suspect a medical condition caused the man to lose control of his vehicle that day. Glenn and Brent were taken to hospital and treated for hypothermia while Shane wrapped himself in a blanket and watched the recovery work from the front seat of a police cruiser.
Although the desired outcome was not reached, the valiant efforts of Michael Anderson, Brent Blackmore, Shane Nicol and Glenn Watts are today recognized with Silver Medals for Bravery.
Jon Bula (merit), Troy Dalton (merit), Richard Juryn (posthumous), Graham Tutti
Last October, another day of adventure for eight active and experienced outdoor enthusiasts started with a kayak trip from Porteau Cove to Anvil Island and a run up and down the island mountain peak. It was on the kayak trip back to Porteau Cove that things went terribly wrong.
The weather and water conditions had become much worse than on the trip over with 2 metre swells and winds over 80 kilometres per hour threatening the four double kayaks. The first sign of trouble was when Denis Fontaine and Cheryl Beatty’s kayak flipped and threw them into the cold water of Howe Sound. Cheryl was washed away from her boat by the wind and waves, but was soon spotted by Jon Bula and Troy Dalton in another kayak, who towed her back to Anvil Island where they treated her for severe hypothermia.
A shivering Denis was picked up by Richard Juryn and Graham Tutti in a third kayak. Struggling to get Denis out of the water, Richard and Graham managed to pull him into the centre hatch of their kayak, but the waves and extra weight made the kayak very unstable, eventually pitching all three men into the water about one kilometer from safety.
Meanwhile, those safe on Anvil Island found a phone and were able to summon the Coast Guard hovercraft from its Granville Island station. Unfortunately, that meant 40 minutes of travel time before rescue of the three men could begin.
The hovercraft first picked up Cheryl and her rescuers from Anvil Island and on their search route back to Porteau Cove came across an exhausted and hypothermic Graham along with the lifeless bodies of Richard Juryn and Denis Fontaine.
Silver Medals for Bravery are now presented to Jon Bula and Troy Dalton for their rescue of Cheryl Beatty; to Graham Tutti for his attempted rescue of Richard Juryn and Denis Fontaine; and a posthumous award to Richard Juryn for his attempt to rescue Denis Fontaine.
Andrew Choi
The Choi family was enjoying a September visit to a Whistler condominium with a swimming pool that appealed to father Alex, mom Amy and sons Andrew and Aaron.
Around 6:30 pm during one of their swims, Alex is holding his 3 year old son Aaron with one hand and the edge of the pool in the deep end with the other. He lets go of the edge to reach for a floating toy, but the weight of Aaron forces him under the water and he begins to struggle. Trying desparately to keep Aaron above water, he is forced further under in the 3 metre deep end of the pool.
Nine year old Andrew is swimming with his cousin about seven metres away when he looks over to see his father and brother in trouble. Having taken swimming lessons in Vancouver, he has the ability to swim over and pull his scared and coughing brother to safety while swallowing some water himself. This allows his father to surface and swim to the side of the pool.
They all then head to the shallow end thankful to have avoided a tragedy. Alex later said, “It all happened so fast and if it wasn’t for Andrew’s fast response and ability to swim, I don’t know what would have happened.” Andrew’s reaction was, “I saved my brother from drowning. I just went ahead and did it.”
Young Andrew has already received a bravery award from the Governor General and today he also receives the Silver Medal for Bravery for his heroic actions that day in Whistler.
Sean Deakin, William McKinnon
On a May afternoon, Sean Deakin is driving westbound on Highway #4 heading for Port Alberni. Road conditions are good and traffic is normal when suddenly up ahead, Sean sees a cloud of dust and realizes that the pick-up truck two vehicles ahead of him has gone off the road. He pulls over quickly, grabs his cell phone and runs to the bank overlooking Cameron Lake only to see the truck partially submerged about 10 metres out in the lake. A woman is screaming that there is a man in the vehicle, so he hands her his cellphone and tells her to call 911.
Sean can see the elderly man trying to climb out of the vehicle through the passenger side window, but he is hesitant, appears dazed and is sitting on the truck door with his legs still inside. Sean takes off his shirt, dives into the water and swims out the truck that by this time is completely submerged. He sees the man’s head a metre under the water, so he goes under and pulls him to the surface, noticing a bleeding cut on his head. Sean begins to swim to shore with the man, but he is large and seems unconscious, unable to help himself.
While strugging toward shore, Sean yells at bystanders to help as he can’t hold him up much longer. The man sinks back under water, but Sean grabs him again and brings his head above the surface. By this time Sean is becoming exhausted, has swallowed water and no help has arrived from shore. The man sinks under water again and Sean, thinking of his own family, realizes he has to let him go in order to save himself. He now begins to struggle toward shore and William McKinnon, a non-swimmer, wades in chest deep to extend a hand to Sean. He keeps Sean’s head above water and pulls him onto the rocks where Sean lays exhausted until attended to by a paramedic.
The man in the truck did not survive, but Sean did everything he possibly could to try to save his life. Divers eventually pulled the man’s body from 14 metre deep water and it was later revealed that he had suffered a heart attack, causing his vehicle to veer into the lake. Police officers commented that Sean “Put his own life in great peril in very dangerous waters and his efforts were heroic.”
For his extreme act of bravery in the face of serious personal danger, we now present a Silver Medal of Bravery to Sean Deakin.
Caleb Gillett
Last June, a group of residents were swimming at an apartment pool in Burnaby when 13 year old Nelson Juma, a non-swimmer, ventures too close to the drop-off, loses his footing and sinks into the deep end of the pool. Adding further danger to the situation, the main drain cover is not in place and Nelson is drawn onto the drain unable to free himself.
Some of the children in the area thought Nelson, a recent immigrant from Sudan, is just fooling around and they continue to play. Eleven year old Liam Gillett sees Nelson at the bottom of the pool and puts his goggles on to get a better look. He surfaces and tells his fourteen year old brother, Caleb Gillett, to go and check on him. Caleb goes down and tries to move Nelson, but is unable to move him or get any response. He realizes that Nelson is held onto the drain, so he resurfaces, takes a large breath of air and again dives down into the deep water. This time he is able to pull Nelson out of his bathing suit and up to the water’s surface. He tows him to the edge of the pool, puts him over his shoulder and hoists him out of the water.
Nelson is unconscious, so Caleb tells Liam to get assistance. Responding to Caleb’s screams for help, a nearby adult begins CPR on Nelson. Other children run for help that includes Caleb’s mother who soon arrives to assist. Nelson eventually spits up water, has convulsions and starts thrashing. He lets out a loud scream, yells something in his native tongue and regains full consciousness.
The ambulance soon arrives and Nelson is accompanied by his mother to hospital where he is kept overnight for observation. Meanwhile Caleb realizes that Nelson’s seven and nine year old brothers would be on their own, so he goes over to their house to babysit until a parent arrives home. Caleb’s mother later commented, “I was amazed how well all the children assisted, stayed in control and were smart enough to get help.”
For his heroic efforts, we are pleased to present young Caleb Gillett with a Silver Medal for Bravery.
Donald Gough
At 6:45 am, on his way to work at Mule Deer campsite in Manning Park Resort last May, Donald Gough notices a vehicles parked on the side of the road. He pulls over only to see a car in the middle of the rapidly-flowing Similkameen River facing upstream. An elderly man is trying to climb out of the vehicle, but is now trapped in the fast moving water and hanging onto the car.
Realizing the danger, Donald quickly begins to orchestrate an action-packed rescue. He tells one bystander to move downstream in case the man loses his grip and is swept downriver. Donald drives to the Manning Park headquarters to get some rope, but none is available. He recalls using fire hose on the job the previous week and locates four lengths of hose. Now back at the scene, he directs three co-workers who have shown up, to tie them together for a rescue line.
The three hold one end of the line secure on the riverbank while Donald ties the other end around his waist and wades into the water upstream of the vehicle. The force of the water sweeps him off his feet. Realizing he is fully committed at this point, Donald swims with the current and comes up right in the middle of the river near the car. He crawls onto the roof of the car and very cold and numb at this point, the man manages to mumble that he is travelling alone.
Donald slips into the water beside him, unties the hose from himself, ties it around the man’s chest and assists him out of the vehicle through the window. From there the men onshore pull him to safety on the riverbank. Donald returns to shore in time to assist in carrying the man up to road where they cover him in sleeping bags and blankets while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
The man is rushed to hospital where he makes a full recovery from severe hypothermia after an estimated 30 to 45 minutes in the water. It was estimated that another ten minutes in the water would have been his limit.
Donald later recalled that “With the adrenalin pulsing through my body, I didn’t notice the cold until I got back to shore.” He also gave credit to the distressed man saying, “He’s a pretty tough fellow considering how long he was in the water.”
For his bravery and resourcefulness, we are very pleased to present Donald Gough with a Silver Medal for Bravery.
Blair Haaf, Larry Rivard
It was a typical calm, sunny Okanagan day when Blair Haaf was driving north of Penticton on Highway 97 on his way to a job site as regional sales manager for Superior Propane. He sees a splash in the water and realizes something large had just entered Okanagan Lake. He pulls over and sees a car slowly submerging into the lake.
Larry Rivard is already on scene and is by the car trying to pull the female driver out. They are about six metres from shore, so Larry asks Blair if he’s going to make it in alright. Blair replies that he could use some help, so Larry dives in to assist Blair and the woman to shore. Other bystanders wade into the water to assist them all to safety.
The woman had apparently suffered a sudden severe headache and was pulling off the highway when her vehicle went over the edge and into the lake. Proving how close she was to drowning, her lipstick was found on the interior roof of the vehicle as she attempted to get air while the vehicle filled with water.
For their quick action in saving a woman’s life that day, Blair Haaf and Larry Rivard are now presented with Silver Medals for Bravery.
Kyle Jenkins
Last March, 11 year old Kyle Jenkins and his classmates from Kwayhquitlum Middle School went on a field trip to Hyde Creek Pool in Port Coquitlam. Kyle enjoys swimming underwater, but that day he could not find his goggles, so borrowed his brother’s. While swimming, he looks down and notices another student face up and not moving on the bottom of the pool about two metres under water. He immediately dives down, puts his arm around the child’s chest and pulls him to the surface. Kyle notices that the boy’s eyes are closed and his lips are blue. He swims the boy to the side of the pool where lifeguards begin attempts at reviving the boy. The pool is cleared and swimmers file into the changeroom. The boy had a seizure while on the pool deck and was taken to hospital where he was revived.
Grandmother Yvonne Slyman was very proud of her grandson, saying “I don’t know how he did it; the boy was larger than Kyle, but he just saw the boy in trouble and had the incentive to dash right in!” Kyle’s incentive may have been the result of his experience as a member of the local Junior Lifeguard Club. He is now considering a job as a lifeguard.
For using his lifesaving skills and saving the life of a school mate, Kyle Jenkins is today awarded a Silver Medal for Merit.
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