NEWS RELEASE

On a busy July 4th 2020 weekend at South Beach Park in Vero Beach, City of Vero Beach lifeguards Shaun Dibble and Colter Hanawalt were on duty.  Shaun noticed a woman snorkeling while using an underwater scooter device that was propelling her along the surface. Suddenly, she let go of the device.  Quickly noticing the woman stopped moving, Shaun raced down to the waterline and dove into the ocean.  He grabbed the woman as she rolled over on her back, her snorkel dislodged from her month, her body motionless.  Shaun signaled for help from Colter, his lifeguard partner, who came immediately.  The two lifeguards dragged her out of the water and determined she had no pulse and was not breathing.  They immediately began CPR and signaled for backup and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). 

Shaun and Colter’s quick thinking and training helped save the woman’s life.  After three days in a medically induced coma, the woman from Boca Raton who came up to Vero Beach to enjoy the July 4th weekend, walked out of the hospital. She had lived through an incident with a statistically low chance of survival.  She credits the lifeguards and the medical team at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital for saving her life.  

The Vero Beach Lifeguard Association along with our local sponsors awarded Shaun Dibble and Colter Hanawalt the Keeper of the Coin Beach Safety Award for the third quarter 2020.  The coin itself is from the Mel Fisher Museum and the award is given to any individual or individuals who display great commitment to beach and water safety in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.  Shaun and Colter will be Keepers of the Coin until the next recipient is chosen.  If you want to know more about the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association or nominate someone for the Keeper of the Coin Beach Safety Award go to our website vbla.org or contact us at VeroBeachLA@yahoo.com

The VBLA Keeper of the Coin Beach Safety Award program is sponsored by Waldo’s Restaurant, Kimpton’s Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, Costa d Este Beach Resort and Mulligan’s Beach House Bar and Grill.