On May 15, 2007, Karlyn Pipes Neilsen and Jason P. Dixon, both American Red Cross lifeguard instructors, helped save the life of an elderly male victim who was found in the lap swim area at the deep end of the swimming pool at Kona Community Aquatics Center.

Nielsen, who was a regular lap swimmer, reached the victim and began towing him to the end of the pool. Dixon then worked with Nielsen to remove the victim from the water. Once the victim was on the pool deck, Dixon began CPR with the assistance of Derek Lee, who was also trained in Red Cross lifeguarding and who was teaching water aerobics at the time. Lee began rescue breathing and Dixon began CPR. An automated external defibrillator arrived and was attached to the victim. Neilsen took over CPR and Lee continued rescue breathing until emergency personnel arrived.

Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course and used by these three individuals contributed to saving the victim's life, Red Cross officials said.

For this act, Neilsen and Nixon have been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. Lee has been awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder. These are the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to an individual who saves or sustains a life using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course. The certificates bear the signature of the president of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, and the signature of the chairman of the American Red Cross.

Awards will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Kona Community Aquatics Center.