A 14 year old Ellis boy drowned last year while playing  in the municipal swimming pool.  Despite efforts by the lifeguards, a volunteer firefighter who happened to be there, and E-M-S responders, Bryce Stropes died July 22, 2010 of what was determined to be shallow-water blackout drowning.

Since then, the entire community has rallied to turn the tragedy into something positive.   The pool received an American Red Cross an award last month for its improved safety training, which now includes “Charlie.”  The simulaid is used before each lifeguard shift to practice rescuing a drowning victim.  Ellis became just the second municipal swimming pool in Kansas to use “Charlie.”

The pool lifeguards have hosted  training for the Ellis Fire Department, Ellis County Emergency Medical Service and to lifeguards in several nearby small communities.

“Charlie” was purchased with a donation from Love’s Travel Plaza, grants from the Midwest Energy Community Fund, and various fundraisers.

Watch the training tonight/tomorrow morning on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14