Navy Future Sailor Saves Child's Life

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Anastasia Puscian, Navy Recruiting District San Diego, Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- A Future Sailor acted quickly to help save a 6-year-old boy from drowning at the San Diego Marriott while waiting to enter the Navy Delayed Entry Program June 18.

Chaney Bryant, 34, was staying at the hotel so he could complete his military processing and take the oath of enlistment the next morning. That evening as he was relaxing at the hotel pool he heard a mother frantic that her child was at the bottom of the pool and unresponsive. The mother jumped in the pool trying to save her child, but she was unable to swim and started to panic even more.

Hearing the commotion and seeing what was happening, Bryant reacted quickly by diving into the pool helping the mother to the shallow end of the pool. He then swam to the boy and pulled him out of the water and started to perform CPR.

"I saw that he swallowed a lot of water, so I pushed on his stomach and he threw up some water," said Bryant. "I then held his nose and gave him one big breath. He started to cough and breathe on his own. I stayed with him until the ambulance came."

First responders arrived within 5 minutes and took the boy to a nearby hospital where he made a complete recovery that evening.

After the situation had calmed, Bryant said all he could think about was how grateful he was that the boy was alive.

"I felt fortunate to be there," said Bryant. "I was about to leave the pool and the closest people were on the second floor who were watching what was happening."

The next morning when the Commanding Officer, San Diego Military Entrance Processing Station, Cmdr. Kyle Vernon, heard what happened she presented Bryant with a command coin and a big thank you for his actions during an impromptu recognition ceremony.

"This incident absolutely reflects the quality of applicants we have coming through USMEPCOM Freedom's Front Door," said Vernon.

Bryant wasn't looking for a thank you from anyone. But felt honored and grateful to be able to help someone.

"I feel incredibly honored that she recognized me. I hadn't been sworn in yet." said Bryant. "She was a little emotional because she is a parent and can understand what happened. It was really a powerful thing to me that the commander recognized me."

Bryant entered the Delayed Entry Program as a reservist June 19 with Navy Recruiting Station Mission Viejo, Calif. He will leave for recruiting training Jan. 12, 2015. After completing boot camp he will attend his technical school to become a cryptologic technician.