Coast Guardsman teaches water rescue to Cub Scouts in South Texas

Courtesy Photo | Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas McConnell, a rescue swimmer from the local Air Station, teaches Webelos from a Corpus Christi Cub Scout pack some water survival skills Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. The Scouts asked the Coast Guard for help with their Aquanaut badges. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)  

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, UNITED STATES

10.24.2014

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard District 8 PADET Houston

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A local Corpus Christi pack of Webelos had a special guest from the Coast Guard teach them water rescue techniques Tuesday night.

Troops of Cub Scout Pack 949 worked to earn their Aquanaut badges with help from a local Coast Guardsman. Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas McConnell, a helicopter rescue swimmer, shared his knowledge and skills with the group of 9- and 10-year-olds.

The evening’s lesson was held at a local YWCA pool and started with a classroom session; the group discussed water safety, the importance of using proper floatation, and basic water rescue techniques. McConnell also shared stories of the rescues he has made in his five years of being a Coast Guard rescue swimmer.

The group then entered the pool where McConnell demonstrated techniques to help a drowning victim. He also showed them ways to control a panicking person while staying safe as a rescuer. After the demonstrations, the Scouts then practiced the basic moves on each other while the rescue swimmer and parents supervised.

“I had a great time working with the Scouts and teaching them skills they may use to help people in the future,” said McConnell. “As military members, we move around a lot throughout the country, events like this give us the opportunity to get involved and give back to the local community. I hope that someday, if these Scouts are ever in a position to help a person in trouble, they will remember the training and have the confidence to save a life.”

“The boys were extremely impressed with the rescue swimmer’s confidence in the water and his ability to manage all of the possible rescue scenarios,” said Heather Reynolds, the Webelos den leader of Cub Scout Pack 949. “With Corpus Christi being a coastal community, water safety is extremely important. Establishing a relationship with the Coast Guard gives us a chance to continually educate our boys in such a vital skill.”

In all, 17 Scouts participated in the training, taking a big step in earning their merit badges and learning some lifesaving skills. For future event requests, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi public affairs officer.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2014
• Date Posted: 10.24.2014 20:59
• Story ID: 146044
• Location: CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, US