Ariana Hargis (Parkway North High School) received the Red Cross Lifesaver Award for providing first aid to a swimmer who was having a heart attack at the West County YMCA, where she was on-duty as a lifeguard. Through the Red Cross Lifesaver Awards, sponsored by AAA, the Red Cross has celebrated more than 400 local citizens who were able to save a life through training in CPR and First Aid. Pictured from left to right: Cindy Erickson (CEO, American Red Cross), Ariana Hargis, and Lisa Cohen (Aquatics Director, West County YMCA).

Ariana Hargis has been a Red Cross trained lifeguard for nearly three years, and most recently, works at the West County YMCA while also finishing her senior year at Parkway North.

This past fall, Ariana was working at the pool when, among the usual swimmers, she noticed a man who had stepped out of the water and was looking extremely tired. She approached him, and asked if he was feeling okay. He told her he was fine—and not to worry. So Ariana moved along, but continued to keep a close eye on this gentleman.

Within a few minutes, the man had slumped over and Ariana could tell his breathing was labored. She pushed the emergency button, and her co-workers brought in the oxygen tank and First Aid kit.

Ariana began administering oxygen to the man, encouraging him to take deep breaths and to remain calm. When paramedics arrived, they rushed him away to the hospital, where he underwent bypass surgery for three blocked arteries!

That man later returned to the YMCA to thank Ariana for being so attentive and quick to act. He said he may not have survived if he had simply tried to go home and lay down to rest.

Now Ariana continues to lifeguard at the Y, and is even in the process of becoming a lifeguard instructor—so she can teach others how to be lifeguards!

To sign up for a CPR or First Aid course, click here.