Lifeguard, 18, helps deliver baby at YMCA pool

“You can’t really hesitate or wait for someone else to come. You’re the lifeguard; you’re the lifesaver,” said Natalie Lucas

A teenage lifeguard was hailed for her quick-thinking after she helped to deliver a baby boy when his mother went into labour at a YMCA in Colorado.

Natalie Lucas, 18, was on duty at the YMCA in Longmont, Northern Colorado, on 24 July where Tessa Rider and husband Matthew Jones were visiting, the Washington Post reported.

Ms Rider, who was a few days past her due date, told the Post her water broke moments after getting into the indoor pool that morning.

“All of a sudden I felt this need to push,” Ms Rider said.

Lifeguard Natalie Lucas helped to deliver a baby while on duty at the YMCA of Northern Colorado on 24 July (YMCA of Northern Colorado)

Tessa Rider gave birth to her third child Tobin “Toby” Thomas Rider at the Northern Colorado YMCA (Northern Colorado YMCA)

Natalie Lucas, left, helped Tessa Rider and Matthew Jones deliver their baby boy Toby at a YMCA in Colorado (Provided by Rider-Jones family)

She called to her husband to meet her at the car and race to the hospital, and then promptly collapsed on all fours as soon as she got out of the pool. Ms Rider said she immediately realised the baby was on the way, The Post reported.

Ms Lucas, the sole lifeguard on duty, rushed over to find Mr Jones on the phone with 911.

“We’re having a baby,” he told her.

The lifeguard of three years said adrenaline kicked in and she went to collect towels, a first aid kit, and alerted other staff to the birth.

She told The Post she helped try to keep Ms Rider comfortable, and supported her head as her husband helped to guide the baby out.

“I stayed calm, and I didn’t freak out, because that’s what you need to do in this job. You can’t really hesitate or wait for someone else to come. You’re the lifeguard; you’re the lifesaver,” the teenager told The Post.

The baby - Tobin “Toby” Thomas Rider - was born a few minutes later, as ten onlookers watched.

His father kept him warm until paramedics arrived a few minutes afterwards, and checked the baby.

The parents, whose two daughters Lila, 6, and 2-year-old Abigail were at church with grandparents, praised Ms Lucas’ quick thinking and calm, demeanour.

She said that she had saved a few kids from drowning over the years of working as a lifeguard, but helping a mother give birth was not something she had been trained on.

In a Facebook post, the YMCA congratulated the family and gave a “big shout out” to Ms Rider for helping deliver a baby - “something surely not covered in the job description”.

Northern Colorado YMCA spokeswoman Andra Coberly Webster told The Independent Ms Rider’s efforts showed the importance of having trained lifeguards.

“We train our Lifeguards to respond in times of emergency, and that’s exactly what Natalie did. When she realised Tessa was going into labour, she pushed passed the adrenaline, and she responded with compassion, caring and grit,” she said.

“The health of Tessa and Toby was and is paramount, and we are ecstatic that they are healthy and doing well.”