An off-duty nurse saved the life of a 1-year-old who was found face down in a pool and not breathing at a recreation center pool in Lake Barrington Sunday afternoon.
The Wauconda Fire District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2:30 p.m. Sunday to Lake Barrington Shores Recreation Center, 64 Old Barn Road in Lake Barrington, for a report of a drowning.
Wauconda Fire District Lt. Scott Schrayer said paramedics arrived to find a young child who was breathing.
Lots of people were at the outdoor pool at the recreation center at the time and Schrayer said the toddler was found face down in the kiddie pool, which is adjacent to the main pool.
The child was not conscious and not breathing.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the 15-month-old was pulled from the water by her father, who initiated lifesaving measures.
A nurse took over and performed CPR on the girl until she began breathing again, Schrayer said.
The toddler was breathing and crying when paramedics arrived and took over treatment.
They transported the child by ambulance to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington in good condition.
Schrayer said it was a “great outcome” to the situation.
A preliminary investigation showed the child’s father was sitting in the children’s pool, approximately two feet deep, when he became momentarily distracted during a conversation, Covelli said.
He noticed his daughter floating in the water after losing sight of her for approximately two minutes.
“While this incident did not result in tragedy, it serves as a critical reminder: constant and undivided supervision of young children around water is essential—even in shallow areas,” Covelli said.
Lake Barrington Shores is a gated condominium community located on 500 acres with over 1,300 condominium homes. The recreation center features a fitness center and multiple pools.