The head of the Grants Pass YMCA credited lifeguards with saving the life of a club member who nearly drowned Monday.

“We’re excited that they did what they’re supposed to do,” Jay Berry, CEO of the local club, said today.

The incident was reported at 4:36 p.m. Monday during an open-swim period at the YMCA, 1000 Redwood Ave.

Berry said lifeguards saw a man going under in the pool, pulled him out and began working on him for several minutes before paramedics arrived.

Grants Pass Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Brandon Rigaud said medics detected a pulse while performing CPR.

The man was resuscitated and was conscious and talking by the time he was transported to the hospital, Rigaud said.

“This was a good save,” he said.

Both Rigaud and Berry said they were told the man was in stable condition today.

“He was verbal, he was talking when they sent him to the hospital, which is amazing,” Berry said.

———

Reach city editor Chris Bristol at 541-474-3716 or cbristol@thedailycourier.com.