Monday, August 17, 2009

Dog saved from drowning by CPR from lifeboatmen

A dog which nearly drowned at the seaside in Cromer, Norfolk, was saved by a group of off-duty lifeboatmen who performed CPR on the beach. Belle, a five year-old Jack Russell terrier, was chasing sticks when she was swamped by waves and swallowed sea water.

She keeled over and was dragged from the water by her owner Clint Thomas-Morgan, 42, who realised she needed emergency treatment.

He sprinted up the beach towards a lifeboat station where crew members were running a display day and the volunteers began pumping Belle's chest and shaking her upside down until water gushed out of her mouth and nose.



Mr Thomas-Morgan, from Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, said Belle was back swimming within days of the incident. ''We are so grateful to everyone that helped," he said. ''Belle is part of the family and it was a horrible experience. We just want to say thanks to everyone.

''I was in a real panic and was asking if anyone could help. If the lifeboatmen hadn't been there she would have drowned. She is still on antibiotics but is about 90 per cent better now.''

Lifeboatman Will Amey, 30, said it was the first time he had ever had to resuscitate a drowning dog. ''We are trained in resuscitation through the lifeboat and I have worked with lambs before so know how to make them breath when they are born. I guess it was when she bit me that I knew we were going in the right direction.''

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