Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 800 block of Thomas St., Oak View, CA

Involved Parties, Address, Age
Female Child, Ojai, 2 ½
Female Child, Ojai, 22 months
Scot Olson, Ventura, 47

Landscaper Scot Olson was working in a yard in the 800 Block of Thomas Street in Oak View. A family reunion was in progress next door with several children playing outside. Olson noticed two toddlers near the swimming pool and called to them to stay away from the pool. Believing adults were monitoring the children he returned to his work. A few moments later he looked over at the pool again and saw one of the toddlers floating on the surface of the water. Olson broke through a picket fence that surrounded the yards, pulled the floating child from the pool and began rescue breathing. Seeing the other child was at the bottom of the pool he yelled for help and continued rescue breathing on the first. A woman came running to the pool and dove in to retrieve the child from the bottom. Olson was able to revive the first toddler, then helped pull the second child from the pool. He immediately began rescue breathing on her too and was able to revive her. Both girls had regained consciousness prior to the arrival of emergency medical services. The children were transported to local area hospitals where they were treated and later released to their parents.

Mr. Olson’s decision to take action, quick intervention and knowledge in resuscitation techniques clearly saved the lives of these two girls!