The Portsmouth Victoria Swim Club were practising serials (hypoxic training) during their regular Saturday synchronised swim session when a 16-year-old participant may have lost consciousness when they returned to the surface, causing them to sink to the bottom of the 4m pool.  

This was immediately spotted by a nearby swimmer and the poolside lifeguard, Joshua Stanning. Joshua said, “I dove down to recover them, bringing them to the surface where they were unresponsive.” 

During this time, the alarm was raised by a coach, and Sharon Dean, the HMS Temeraire lifeguard, helped to remove the swimmer from the water. Sharon said, “I have been a lifeguard for many years and this was the first time I had been faced with a situation of this nature. Instinct and training kicked in and after conducting the primary survey, to my relief and joy the young swimmer regained consciousness, regurgitated, and to my delight made a full recovery.” 

Sharon provided poolside care and support until the paramedics arrived. Sharon and Joshua’s quick and decisive responses resulted in the rescue’s positive outcome. Both lifeguards have received their own Certificate of Meritorious Action for Lifeguards for their hard work.