SAUGUS — First responders are teaming up to prevent another tragedy at Breakheart Reservation.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among young children both nationally and in Massachusetts, according to State Department of Public Health office. The Saugus Fire Department receives at least one call for a water rescue each year, said Fire Chief Michael Newbury.
To prepare for this, firefighters spent five days this week training at Breakheart’s Pearce Lake with Department of Conservation and Recreation lifeguards, the Stoneham dive team, and the Lynn Fire Department. Meanwhile, Armstrong EMS went through land-based EMS exercises.
“The goal was to do a multi-agency training and get used to each other and get a lot more proficient working together,” said Saugus Deputy Chief Tom D’Eon, who took part in the training.
Crews used three mannequins and Lynn’s rescue boat to practice rescue and recovery drills. They started with a single victim and then used all three to simulate beachgoers who try to make the rescue on their own and find themselves in trouble.
The lifeguards — many of whom are teenagers and young adults — were integrated into the training.
“They are the ones who are going to respond first to a drowning,” said D’Eon. “They have the greatest likelihood of rescuing a viable victim.”
Breakheart has two lakes and a large forest. Swimming is prohibited in all of Silver Lake and most of Pearce Lake. A small portion of Pearce Lake is roped off and patrolled by lifeguards. This section of the lake is the only place where swimming is allowed, said DCR spokeswoman Olivia Dorrance.
Lifeguards are stationed where swimming is allowed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, she said. All other areas have signs declaring the water off-limits for swimming.
On July 4, 2018, 20-year-old Uwaldo Erazo of Lynn drowned attempting to swim to an island in Silver Lake with two of his cousins. His cousins tried to find him but were unsuccessful, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.
A rescue team of Saugus firefighters pulled Erazo from the water after a search that lasted more than an hour.
Breakheart isn’t the only place in town where drownings have occurred. The Fire Department has been called to the Saugus River and the ponds in the Golden Hills neighborhood, said D’Eon.
The most memorable water rescue D’Eon witnessed was in the middle of the winter. A car went into the Saugus River and a fire captain jumped in to pull the victim out.
“It was very brave,” said D’Eon. “That one stands out the most.”
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued safety advice to avoid drowning and other water-related injuries last week. The signs of drowning can be hard to detect, with little splashing or cries for help. Once a child is in danger, it can take as few as 20 seconds to fall below the water and only minutes to drown, according to the agency.
The Department advises people supervising children near water not to drink alcohol, and to remain within an arm’s length at all times. Pool fences should be used that completely separate the house and play area of the yard from the pool area. Once children are done swimming, the area should be locked or secured.
Parents should remove floats, balls, and other toys from the pool after use so that children are not tempted to reach for them, and a life preserver and shepherd’s hook should be kept nearby in case of an emergency.
The state advises bathers to swim with a buddy in designated areas with a lifeguard present.
Depths, currents, underwater debris and water temperature change constantly in rivers, lakes, and ponds, so yesterday’s swimming spot might have hidden dangers today.
“I’m confident in the state of readiness our department to respond to a water incident and I’m also really confident in the staff up at Breakheart,” said D’Eon. He hopes swimmers will stick to areas that are patrolled by lifeguards to stay safe this summer.
