BROWARD COUNTY, FL — A 5-year-old boy is expected to make a full recovery after he was found submerged in a hotel pool in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and revived by off-duty first responders.
The rescue happened shortly after 4 p.m. May 24 at the Plunge Beach Resort, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighter/paramedic Broderick Espinoza was off duty at the pool when someone realized a young child was underwater. Espinoza moved in and found the child did not have a pulse. He started CPR on the boy.
Off-duty Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Jesus Fuentes assisted. Within a short period, the child regained a pulse and expelled water from his lungs, BSO said.
A BSO deputy responded to the 911 calls. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue also responded.
Espinoza carried the child to on-duty paramedics. The boy, identified by BSO as 5-year-old Tyler Nelson, was taken to a hospital. He was checked out, kept overnight and released with a clean bill of health, according to the agency.
BSO said Tyler was able to celebrate his kindergarten graduation on Monday, June 1.
Two off-duty nurses also helped at the scene, BSO said. The four off-duty responders provided care until first responders arrived.
BSO used the incident to push water safety reminders as summer approaches. The agency noted that drowning prevention advocates say drowning can happen in as little as 20 seconds, and within minutes a victim can suffer brain damage.
BSO’s water safety reminders include constant, close supervision of young children near water, keeping small children within arm’s reach, and avoiding distractions while monitoring kids in the water. The agency also recommends installing child-proof fencing, locks, alarms, or sensors to prevent children from entering pool areas.
Other tips from BSO: teach kids how to swim or float on their backs for air, keep rescue equipment and a telephone nearby, and learn CPR.
For residents in Boca Raton and across South Florida, the takeaway is simple and evergreen: pool time can turn fast, and the first minute matters. BSO is urging families to plan for supervision and barriers before kids get near water.
Broward County offers water safety information and swim lessons through its Water Smart Broward program, BSO said.
BSO provided links to the 911 calls and body-worn camera video connected to the response.
