Saving boy's life earns commendation medal

Christi Yowell

A former Lampasas resident and Coast Guard member has been awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for Outstanding Achievement.

The commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard presented the medal and certificate recently to Yeoman 3rd Class Christi M. Yowell for her response to a near-drowning accident in a community pool at her apartment complex on April. 22.

The certificate notes that as Mrs. Yowell arrived at the pool, the apartment courtesy officer determined the number of swimmers exceeded the maximum allowed by law.

While he instructed people to exit the pool, Mrs. Yowell noticed a child under water who appeared unresponsive. The courtesy officer retrieved the 6-year-old from the water. He was unconscious and not breathing.

Mrs. Yowell, who waited by the side of the pool immediately assessed the condition of the child and began to administer mouth-to- mouth resuscitation.

After aggressively delivering several rescue breaths, the boy gasped for air and regained consciousness.

Mrs. Yowell then wrapped the youngster in a towel and treated him for shock while the youth's breathing stabilized and his skin tone returned to normal.

Soon after, paramedics arrived, and Mrs. Yowell briefed them on the child's medical condition and the events as they unfolded.

Mrs. Yowell then attended to the child's distraught mother, providing comfort as emergency personnel placed her child into the ambulance.

"Petty Officer Yowell's selfless action and quick response saved the life of a 6-year-old boy," states the citation. "Further, her immediate actions prevented the child from suffering adverse health conditions as a result of the incident.

"Petty Officer Yowell's dedication, judgement and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard."

Mrs. Yowell is stationed at Aviation Training Center Mobile in Mobile, Ala., in the Servicing Personnel Office.

She and her husband, Andrew, are the parents of two children, Jennifer, 7, and Kindall, 1.

Mrs. Yowell is the granddaughter of Monroe and Imogene Byrd of Lometa, and the daughter-in-law of Melissa Canady of Lampasas.