By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) member revived a 16-year-old girl with a disability after she nearly drowned in Barangay Taft, Surigao City, on Sept. 4.
Apprentice Seaman Rheyson Maestro was conducting a predeparture inspection aboard the MV News MPC 2 when he received information about the drowning, according to the PCG.
Maestro immediately proceeded to the area, where the unidentified teenager had already been pulled from the water and brought to safety.
A bystander was performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation when Maestro arrived. The Coast Guard member took over and administered about 100 chest compressions until the victim regained consciousness, the PCG said.
Maestro then placed the teenager in the recovery position while awaiting emergency responders.
Personnel from the Coast Guard Substation in Surigao City later arrived and coordinated with the Coast Guard Special Operations Group-Northeastern Mindanao and the Surigao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The victim was turned over to the city’s Quick Action Response Team, which provided first aid and transported her to Caraga Regional Hospital for further treatment.
She was in stable condition during the transfer, according to the Coast Guard.
PCG Commandant Admiral Gavan commended Maestro and the other personnel involved in the emergency response.
The Coast Guard said its frontline personnel receive basic life-support training, including the proper administration of CPR, through the Coast Guard Nursing Service under its Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response and Enforcement program.
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