Politics

PE teacher’s lifesaving skills recognised

A PE teacher has received a certificate of commendation from the Royal Life Saving Society after he saved the life of one of his pupils, just months after completing his lifesaving training.

Michael London, 23, was holding a swimming class at St Joseph’s College, south London, when 14-year-old student Duran Sutherland jumped into the deep end of the pool and sank to the bottom.

Mr London put his skills into action immediately: he cleared the pool, jumped in and brought the teenager to the surface.

Finding that Duran was not breathing, Mr London administered CPR for about six minutes until the pupil regained consciousness and started breathing.

“My lifesaving skills very quickly ran through my mind and I just snapped into action,” Mr London says. “I’m so glad I had them to be able to help Duran. It all happened so fast that I can’t even tell how much time passed.”

He joined the school last September, having completed his New National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches training in August.

Pic: Clare Tellam, trainer at Aqualife Training Services with Michael London

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