Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Lifeguard (11/09/06)
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TITLE: CPR | Previous Challenge Entry
By
11/11/06 -
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A couple feet off the shoreline hidden among the huge blue-gray ocean, stood an inviting patch of dark blue water. It seemed calmer than the rest of the ocean and the waterline was lower at the point where it gently ebbed and flowed.
Oblivious to the posted warning sign that said not to go into the water without lifeguard supervision; her toes felt the cool touch of the first wave in this tiny insignificant area of water.
No sooner had she entered into its stillness, when she realized she had been deceived. This tranquil pool of distinctive colored water was really a rip current. She felt its satanic-like grip upon her body, and within minutes the shoreline appeared as a tiny little speck. She knew she had to get back to shore before this monster pulled her beyond any chance of survival. Thoughts raced through her mind. She tried to stay calm, but the current continued its torment, creating only more dread, panic and fear. Through her paralyzed mind, she heard her voice utter, “Oh Jesus, please help me.”
She considered herself to be a good swimmer yet in a matter of minutes, her tormentor beat her into exhaustion. Her lungs gasped for air. Every muscle in her body was crying for release -- to rest, to sleep, to die. Her wish was granted -- everything turned black…
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She woke up choking. Water spewed from her mouth. A burly man with broad shoulders and tanned skin knelt by her side. Her anxious eyes scanned his body. She breathed a sigh of relief. He wore bright orange shorts and a whistle hung around his neck. He was a lifeguard. She was alive and safe.
“It’s okay, just cough it up. You had me scared there for a while.” he said as he patted her on the back like a mother soothing a tired infant.
“What happened?” she gasped. “I remember trying to get back to shore and then everything went blank.”
“I don’t know exactly what happened either,” he said as he scratched his head. “I just got off duty and was driving home. All of a sudden I got this freaky feeling in the pit of my stomach -- like I needed to go back to my stand. I had a sneaking suspicion someone would take a dip in the ocean on a beautiful night like tonight without realizing there’s a storm coming and the rip current would be brutal.” He looked at her tenderly. “I yelled at you to swim parallel to the shoreline, but you had a look of horror on your face that I’ll never forget. I knew you couldn’t hear me.”
“And then what happened?” she asked as she wiped the water that dribbled from her mouth.
“So I jumped into the water and swam toward you. You were pretty upset. In fact, I guess you’d call it hysterical.” He spoke softly. “Do you want me to go on?”
“Yes, please tell me everything,” she said as she fidgeted with her long tangled hair. “It’s important that I know.”
“You must have thought the rip was the devil or something because you talked about how Satan had a hold of you and wouldn’t let you go. I saw sheer terror in your eyes and then your whole countenance changed when you talked about Jesus and how He would save you. It was pretty strange. Never saw anything like that before -- kind of makes me think I need to get back to God.” he said with a slight quiver in his voice. Regaining his composure, he continued, “And then you just passed out. I dragged you onto the shore, gave your CPR and here we are.”
She smiled. She knew she was alive because of CPR. And while everyone else would call it cardio pulmonary resuscitation, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it stood for Christ’s Perfect Redemption...
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