What began as a usual Sunday afternoon at the Hammond Park Pool last summer turned into a life-changing experience for Alec Roche. 

Roche was the on-duty lifeguard for the deep end and diving board area that June day, and the Laurel, Maryland pool was busy with a birthday party and many guests enjoying a weekend swim. 

Amid the fun and excitement, a young boy with a cast on his arm jumped off the diving board and instantly began to struggle in the water. Roche noticed right away, and the training he learned at a Red Cross lifeguarding and CPR course earlier that year kicked in, he says. 

It was like “muscle memory,” recalls the 17-year-old. Without a second thought, he blew his whistle to indicate trouble and quickly jumped in the pool with a floatation device. 

“I saw someone in distress, my instincts just kicked in and I did what was needed,” said Roche. “My training gave me the ability to not have to think about what to do, I just did what I had practiced.” 

Once in the water, Roche guided the boy to hold on to his lifeguard’s buoy and helped him get out of the water safely. The youngster eventually calmed down and was OK – thanks to Alec’s quick thinking and selfless actions. 

Roche was recently honored with an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for the actions he took that June day to aid the young swimmer and avert tragedy. 

Nadine McCrindle, interim CEO of the Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake region, lauded Roche for his “heroic efforts” as she gave him the award. “There is a young person who is here on Earth because of you,” she said. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Fire Chief Louis Winston also attended the award ceremony and praised the teen’s sharp eye and professional response that day. 

Ball called Roche “an inspiration to others.” 

“You put your training into action and helped save a life – and made our world a better place,” said Ball, as he presented Roche with a proclamation of recognition and medallion from Howard County. 

This summer, Alec will be back in the lifeguard chair at the Hammond Park Pool. He enjoys the job – “I just like being able to help people,” he says – and has been promoted to head lifeguard. 

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The Red Cross has trained lifeguards for more than 100 years, and more than 300,000 people enroll in our courses each year. Lifeguarding candidates can gain the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies at pools, waterparks and beaches. 

The Red Cross also offers a variety of learn-to-swim, junior lifeguarding, water safety and lifeguard management programs. 

Learn more and register: redcross.org/lifeguarding 

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On average, more than 4.6 million people a year receive Red Cross training in first aid, water safety and other skills that help save lives. If you know someone who has helped save or sustain a life, nominate them for a Red Cross National Lifesaving Award at RedCross.org