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An Okanagan Mountie has been praised for saving a woman from drowning in Lake Country.
The officer – Const. Kerri Parish – was spending time with family at Pebble Beach on July 9 when she sprung into action to prevent a tragedy.
A commotion erupted, the RCMP said, prompting Const. Parish to investigate. She discovered that a woman had fallen off a floatation device and was struggling to stay above water.
Const. Parish used her paddleboard to rescue the woman, who had become fully submerged in the water.
The off-duty officer first pulled the woman to the surface and then swam with her back to the shore.
Police said the woman was “somewhat disoriented” but otherwise unhurt.
She and her family were “incredibly grateful” to Const. Parish, police added.
“I knew something was wrong and I had to act quickly,” Const. Parish said.
“I feel blessed to have been in the right place and time, with the right equipment available that allowed me to help.”
The RCMP offered the following list of dos and don’ts for swimmers:
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Swim with a buddy. Never swim alone and always swim with another responsible swimmer;
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Supervise children closely. If they are more than arms reach, they are too far away;
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Know the swimming area. Be aware of currents, sudden drop offs to deep water, undertows and other hidden dangers;
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Don’t drink and play, do not mix alcohol or other drugs with water activities;
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Non-swimmers should wear a lifejacket. Keeping a lifejacket close by isn’t close enough. Wear it.
For more, visit Lifesaving Society of BC.
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