**as appeared in the North Shore News**
In the late afternoon on Monday, Dec. 2, I was sitting in the whirlpool in William Griffin swimming pool. Jets massaged my back and I looked across the pool at the time on the clock and thought about Christmas approaching and what I would buy the next day for our grandchildren.
Then something happened and I saw myself under water, had a horrific feeling of motionlessness, tried to grab the handle in front of me but could not reach to it, had no power.
What did I see next? A few people in black uniforms; a young man in a red T-shirt; a pulse oximeter connected to my finger; the rising and falling pressure on my arm from the belt of the instrument reading blood pressure. I slowly noticed what was happening. One of attendants confirmed it: “You passed away, sir. We have to go to hospital.”
Then a ride on wheelchair, on the street two ambulances, and in a short while I was on a gurney in the emergency ward of Lions Gate Hospital.
Seventeen hours later I was walking out of the hospital beside my wife.
All those professional people, in the pool as well as in the ambulance and in the hospital, I thank from the bottom of my heart for their help. With the exception of Dr. Angus, I do not know any names. But all, and there were many, did the job perfectly.
I had a triple bypass operation in the past and should have paid more attention to the warning on the wall of the whirlpool. I really recommend everyone pay such attention! I also appreciated the follow-up call from hospital the day after my discharge.
Vladimir Cicha