In the right place at the right time
Tamara Loiselle, a triathlon athlete, who
had worked as a lifeguard during her teen
years, saw herself in a situation of life or
death. In the morning of the 6th January 2015,
in Cancun, she was confronted with the
decision of a couple’s destiny, saving their
lives!
Around 7:30 a.m., Loiselle and a friend heard cries for help and ran out to the
beach. There was no lifeguard, just three security guards who weren’t capable
swimmers. One of the security guards managed to provide a life-preserver while the
other two guards rolled out rope from a big reel. Bystanders just stood there,
waiting for the outcome of the situation, when Loiselle decided to attempt the
rescue of the struggling couple in the water. Swimming out with the rope around
her waist, holding on to the life-preserver, Loiselle quickly realized how big a
challenge she was facing.
While swimming, Loiselle thought about the risk she was taking and also about
her two small children at home. As she
got closer, she realized that the couple
was in serious trouble. She reached the
boy first but he pointed out to the girl and
asked Loiselle to rescue her first and leave
him for last. The girl was completely
exhausted, her head just above the water,
gasping for air. Loiselle used the rope and life-preserver to help bring the couple,
one at a time, to shore, saving both. Loiselle is still in contact with the couple, and
just last Monday, the girl, Marie, called her on the phone, and told her that she had
given up, thought she was dying and was looking up at the sky, then saw her face
and thought she was an angel.
Although Loiselle was putting her life at risk, she never gave up on saving them
and that is what makes her a heroine.
Daniela Silva and Marina Vieira, 12ºA
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