At 18 years old, Natalie Lucas of Longmont, Colorado already knows how it is to be responsible. She took the job as a lifeguard knowing full well that while on her shift, she is responsible for the safety of everyone in the pool.
She took her job seriously and would not let anybody feel unsafe or harmed under her watch.
Natalie was tested when she encountered one unique experience while on duty as a lifeguard.
The 18-year-old has been a lifeguard for three years now, which means being able to watch everyone with alertness and quick thinking is not something new to her. One day, while doing a morning pool post, Natalie saw one woman and her husband enter the pool area.
It was a bit strange for her to see a heavily pregnant lady in the pool, but she did not think a lot of it and watched everyone closely.
As it turned out, Tessa Rider and her husband Matthew Jones were in the pool to ease Tessa’s pain.
The woman is past her delivery due and she was feeling discomfort in her hip which can only be soothed by being in the water. For this reason, Tessa decided to visit the pool with her husband.
Because of her condition, Natalie knew she had to be extra observant with Tessa. A few moments into the water, Natalie realized that Tessa was having a hard time and seemed to need some assistance.
Tessa was slowly crawling out of the pool, which prompted Natalie to check on her.
“She had a [pool] noodle to try to relieve some tension from all that weight on the front of her, I’m assuming, and then she started crawling out of the pool … and I was like, alright, I need to go check to make sure everything’s OK there,” the 18-year-old said.
At this point, Tessa was not okay at all. Suddenly, as Natalie was approaching them, her water broke while she was on the pool deck, which made Natalie spring into action and assisted the woman who was now about to give birth.
“I walk over and Matthew, the husband, he says to me, ‘We’re having the baby right now.’ I’m like, ‘OK!’ Adrenaline kicks in right then and there,” Natalie said.
Matthew immediately dialed 911, but the baby just could not wait anymore.
As her husband was calling for help, Tessa started to pull on her swimsuit. Natalie saw that the baby was already crowning!
“I knew I needed to stay calm and level-headed,” the 18-year-old lifeguard said. “The couple was very calm about it all while it was all happening, which kind of surprised me. So I made sure to keep my head on and stay with them, keep asking them questions, keep them focused on the baby and [make sure] that they [were] the most comfortable.”
Natalie quickly brought the medical supplies available, and some towels, and asked for more help from the front desk. She was rushing but her mind was clear.
Natalie helped Tessa to be in the best and most comfortable position as she gave birth to her baby.
The baby was safely born with Matthew catching the little one. One of the lap swimmers called 911 and eventually, responders came to make sure mom and baby are going to be okay.
Fortunately, little Tobin Thomas Rider was born healthy, plus he earned a lifetime membership at the YMCA!
Tessa is extremely thankful for Natalie’s presence that day.