Michael Heitert won the local Lifesaver Award in January 2009.

Three cheers for Dellwood Lifeguard, Michael Heitert! Tonight he is receiving the National Certificate of Merit for saving his friend’s life last summer. Here’s what happened:

On Monday, June 4^th, 2008, Michael was at the Dellwood Recreation Center participating in high school swim practice. As part of the practice, swimmers were diving off the block, trying to dive over a kickboard in the water. When Eric Springli dove in the water – his head hit the pool bottom. Michael was able to keep Eric’s head and neck immobilized until he was placed on a backboard.

Doctors later discovered Eric had fractured his 5^th and 7^th vertebrae. Given the seriousness of the injuries, doctors told Eric’s parents if it weren’t for Michael’s knowledge and training, it could have been much worse.

Eric was placed in a HALO for two months and a neck brace for several weeks after that. But three months after his injury, Eric was back to swim practice!

In January, 2009, our chapter gave Michael the Lifesaver Award. Now he is getting the National Certificate of Merit. It is bestowed by the American National Red Cross upon a person who saved or sustained a life as a direct result of Red Cross training. It is signed by the President of the United States, who traditionally serves as the Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross. Since it was established in 1928, the Lifesaving Certificate of Merit has borne the signatures of 15 U.S. Presidents, including President Barack Obama.