'Scouting changed my life for the better': Eagle Scouts save swimmer after suffering heart attack

A Louisville, Kentucky, man is recovering after suffering a heart attack while swimming at the lake at Camp Crooked Creek, a Scouts BSA property in Bullitt County.The rescue effort included four Eagle Scouts and others working as lifeguards at the summer camp."It was training and having this phenomenal team with me," Cleis Newell, assistant aquatics director at Camp Crooked Creek, said. "Everyone was on their toes, knew exactly what they needed to do. We worked so well together as a team, everyone jumped in to help."The incident happened on June 5 at John Barr Lake on the camp property, where staff and volunteers were completing a 550-meter swim to earn their BSA Lifeguard certification. Bruce Otto, 73, an avid swimmer and volunteer adult Scout leader, was among those taking the test when aquatics director Michael "MJ" Todd noticed him slowing down and then floating face-down in the water. Todd immediately blew his whistle, alerting other staff, and jumped into the water. He swam nine feet down to the floor of the lake, grabbed Otto, and used a buoyant lifeguard tube to bring them both to the surface.Other staff pulled Otto onto the dock. They used an AED and administered CPR for 30 minutes before Otto began faintly breathing again and an ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital."I'm not sure the English language has words for the depths of gratitude I have," Otto said. "It's just very emotional. How do you thank people for that?"The lifeguards watch over thousands of Scouts who come to Camp Crooked Creek each summer. They also teach merit badges such as swimming, lifesaving, canoeing, and kayaking. "Scouting changed my life for the better," Todd said. "You know the (Scout) motto 'be prepared?' I've never felt more prepared with Scouting."