Heart Attack Victim Saved by Lifeguard

GENEVA --- Hobart College sophomore Paul Rivera has been described as quiet, modest, and hardworking. After Thursday, the word heroic can be added to that list.

While on duty as a lifeguard around 5:30 a.m. Thursday at the Geneva YMCA, Rivera performed CPR on Timothy Cortelyou of Oaks Corners, who had collapsed in the upstairs Nautilus room. Ken Kelly, operations manager for Finger Lakes Ambulance, whose paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after, said Rivera's actions saved the man's life. "Any time a citizen performs CPR, it absolutely helps," Kelly said. "His actions were essential to prolonging (Cortelyou's) life."

YMCA Executive Director Rick Presutti said Cortelyou was working out on a cardiovascular machine when he had a heart attack; two children saw him collapse and ran downstairs to the pool to get Rivera, who immediately had someone call 911.

Rivera was out of town yesterday and could not be reached for comment, but his roommate, Chris Ventrone called him a "good kid," who is smart and funny. He said Rivera played football his freshman year and currently is a member of a Bible study group on campus. When he told Ventrone about what happened, Rivera said he was glad he'd been able to help. "He felt good about himself," Ventrone said.

Hobart College Dean Dr. Clarence Butler said he sought Rivera out after he learned of the incident Thursday, and Rivera told him he just did what had to be done, and he would do it again if necessary. Butler said Rivera, who is a math major form Middletown, was on the dean's list at the end of his freshman year and is a trustee scholar because of the high average he maintained at Middletown High School. He noted that not only is Rivera working to put himself through school, but he's chosen a job where he has to be at work at a time when most students aren't even thinking of getting up. "Then he comes back and does dean's list work," said Butler, who is scheduled to give Rivera an award for his actions this morning during a presentation ceremony in the Scandling Center.

Presutti said Rivera has been working at the YMCA since early September and had worked as a lifeguard for about a year near his hometown.
Emme Cortelyou, Timothy Cortelyou's wife of 40 years, said she is very grateful to Rivera and has thanked him in person. "I'm very thankful he was on duty," she said late Saturday afternoon, noting that her husband is doing well at Geneva General Hospital. Cortelyou is the father of three adult children and a longtime Y member. Presutti said he was impressed with Rivera's professionalism, and Butler noted that the death of Rivera's own father just weeks ago gave Rivera a unique perspective. "He knows the value of life and family relationships," Butler said.