Vincent Valentino received the Keeper of the Coin Beach Safety Award for the second quarter of 2020 from the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association. The award is given to any individual who displays great pride and commitment in keeping our beaches safe and promoting water safety.
Mr. Valentino, a life-long resident of Vero Beach and a City of Vero Beach lifeguard was with fellow Vero Beach lifeguards Shaun Dibble and Zachary Weinstein in Boca Raton enjoying a day at the beach in late June when Valentino noticed an elderly man struggling to get out of the water. Even though Vincent was off-duty, he quickly grabbed the man.
Shortly after, the elderly man passed out. Mr. Valentino put his lifeguard and first responder training into use by requesting Emergency Medical Services and signaling to his friends and fellow lifeguards Shaun and Zach for help. With Mr. Valentino taking command, the team quickly started CPR and coordinated efforts to get the man off the beach. As Boca Raton lifeguards and paramedics arrived, Mr. Valentino coordinated efforts with the responders and successfully extracted the elderly man from the beach.
Mr. Valentino will have temporary possession of the coin, which dates back to the shipwreck of the Spanish fleet of 1715. He will pass on the coin to the next recipient of the award.
Congratulations to Vincent Valentino.
If you would like to nominate someone for the award or for more information about the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, please go to our website vbla.org or email us at [email protected]. The VBLA is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote lifeguarding and water safety in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.
