Portland EMT Saves Drowning Victim During Beach Vacation
PORTLAND, ME (WGME) — An off-duty EMT is being hailed as a hero after saving the life of a woman at Long Sands Beach in York over the weekend. Erik Hanson was vacationing with his family when he noticed a commotion in the water on Saturday afternoon.
According to Hanson, while enjoying the beach with his family, he spotted two arms raised above the waves. Realizing someone was in distress, he sprinted towards the scene, instructing his wife to move their children away from the area. Upon arriving, he identified himself as a paramedic and joined a group attempting to bring a 20-year-old woman to safety.
Once onshore, Hanson discovered that the woman wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. Acting swiftly, he initiated CPR, delivering a couple of rounds before she began to breathe on her own. “In that situation, victims only have a matter of minutes, and it’s proof that CPR saves lives,” Hanson stated.
He emphasized the importance of learning CPR, highlighting that the technique used in this instance was hands-only CPR—an approach now widely taught for its effectiveness in emergency situations. “Anybody can do it. It’s what will save lives,” he urged.
Notably, there were no lifeguards present at Long Sands Beach, a situation that won’t change until late June. Thankfully, Hanson was in the right place at the right time to provide critical assistance. His quick response not only revived the young woman but also served as a reminder of the life-saving potential of CPR training for bystanders.
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