Paul Swift
Seventeen-year old lifesaver Paul Swift, a St
John Ambulance Cadet from Lancashire received the Order of St John
Gold Life Saving medal after rescuing a drowning woman and
her young daughter from a canal.
This was the first time a St John Ambulance Cadet was
awarded the Gold Life Saving medal. The award ceremony
took place on Friday 10 October 2003 at the Priory Church,
Clerkenwell, London.
On 22 April 2003 Paul jumped into the Leeds and
Liverpool Canal, Blackburn after seeing a woman drowning in the
canal. As he approached her, he saw there was also a small
child in the water. Paul grabbed hold of the child who was face
down in the water, and pulled her to the side of the canal.
At this time a nearby lock was draining and Paul was struggling
against the strong currents. His girlfriend helped him and the
child onto land and Paul checked the child's airway and
breathing and put her in the recovery position. Paul
jumped back into the water, despite the heavy currents, to
help the drowning woman who was now semi
responsive. He managed to get her to the side of the canal where a
man helped get them out of the water. Again, Paul checked the
casualty's airway and breathing, put her in the recovery
position and then covered her with his coat to keep her
warm.
Source: Museum of the Order of St John