BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -- William Vaughn's emergency training kicked in as other tourists at a Mexican resort were still sipping their umbrella-garnished cocktails.
Relaxing in a pool with his wife while vacationing May 25 near Cancun, the Broken Arrow firefighter spotted a woman floating face-down as the crowd fixated on her drifting cocktail glass.
"They were laughing and pointing and saying, 'Whose is that?' " Vaughn said. "That's when I noticed the woman."
Acting in a group of other quick-thinkers that included another northeastern Oklahoma firefighter, Vaughn pulled the woman to safety and administered CPR.
The 42-year-old woman survived, and Vaughn arranged for her to fly to Houston for care. She later returned home to Wisconsin.
"He did a very good job taking charge of the situation, but he's had lots of experience," said Leisha Vaughn, William Vaughn's wife. "Everyone just looked to him for what to do next."
The other firefighter was Larry Watts, a volunteer with the Lowrey Fire Department near Tahlequah. The men didn't know each other, but they were at the resort for the same wedding.
"Somebody had to help, and fortunately two Oklahoma firefighters were there," William Vaughn said.
His wife estimated the crowd around the pool at 150. Many people froze when they saw the woman because they had been shaken by news that another person had drowned in the same pool the day before, William Vaughn said.
He believes that made him more aware of the danger.
"I don't think I did anything differently than the guys I work with," he said. "Everybody in the Fire Department does the same thing."
Vaughn was recognized by state Rep. David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow, and Broken Arrow Fire Chief Jeff VanDolah at a ceremony Friday.
His actions that day represent the best of the Broken Arrow Fire Department, both presenters said.
"When you see something like this happen, it speaks volumes about the (firefighters) we have here in Broken Arrow," Brumbaugh said. "This is a great man who performed a great service."
VanDolah added, "We're proud of him and his family."
One of his most selfless acts was to help the woman even after he saved her life, the presenters said.
Vaughn stayed with her well into the night and checked on her periodically in the following days, they said.
The Mexican paramedics refused to treat her without being paid up front, so Vaughn contacted a medical flight service, he said. The company took her insurance information and flew her to Texas, he said.
Vaughn has been a Broken Arrow firefighter since 1999.
Watts, who did not attend the ceremony, could not be reached Friday night.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
