Tragedy at Lake Victoria

I never knew someone could have a thousand thoughts in three minutes and those three minutes be the end of something precious. I received my first life guarding certification when I was 15, almost 10 years ago. For seven years, life guarding provided the majority of my high school and university income. I was only once forced to use the skills that I spent many hours drilling into my head and perfecting and thank God it was only a mere shallow water save.

I abandoned my life guarding profession three years ago. I thought I said good-bye to it forever and never thought I would find myself sitting on the shores of Lake Victoria, Uganda attempting to save a life.

It was only the third day of my vacation. I had gone to Lake Victoria with some friends searching for a nice, memorable afternoon; unfortunately the afternoon turned out to be more memorable than I would like as the flash backs and sleepless nights keep reminding me. After an hour of laughing and playing, I saw a sight out of my peripheral vision, one I was always trained to recognize but never wanted to witness : only thirty feet from me two people were dragging a girl out of the water -unconscious. I saw them attempt CPR but the wrong position on her stomach and not her chest. My immediate thought was – there is nothing I can do! I was afraid I had forgotten everything and I would kill her instead of help her. But finally my mind connected with my heart : what the hell was I doing sitting there when I had seven years of training and a child’s life slipping through the cracks ?

I rushed over. I pushed the rescuers aside and not very politely informed them they were doing CPR incorrectly. They readily allowed me to take over. It all came back in only a few seconds : compressions, breaths, and repeat. Initially, we all had hope that she might come back as she began to vomit. However, I noticed her stomach continuing to bloat and her body go hard. I knew that she was dead but those around me were so grateful for the effort I continued. A minute later I checked her pulse and and to my horror there was nothing. I wanted so badly to feel a faint flicker of hope. I quietly exited the scene as those remaining continued to try.

I returned to my place on the shore not quite sure what had just happened. The only thing that I could think was that someone’s little girl had just exited this world and they were about to receive the worst news of their life. I sat and silently prayed for the little girl I only knew in her death. A few minutes later the crowd dissipated and this precious, lifeless child was carried away over someone’s shoulder sort of like a sac of potatoes. This sight only deepening the sickening feeling already settling into my gut.

A few minutes later, I relocated up the beach. Walking in front of me was a beautiful girl about the same age and figure. She wore a beautiful red dress with a sweet, innocent smile. I couldn’t help but think that there should have been two girls like this on the beach at this moment, however, that wasn’t the case and one young life was gone.

Now, hours and days later, the flash backs continue. When I see the lake, a young girl, a bare stomach, or something the consistency of vomit, my heart renches and my mind cringes. The only thing left for me to do is to pray for the family who is digging a grave, saying « good-bye », and continuing to mourn for many days to come. Please do the same.