EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) — A fun day at a Lawrenceville quarry quickly turned into a life-or-death situation, but one teenager's quick thinking helped save his friend's life.
"I was scared because, I mean, I saw my friend dead, and I'm just terrified because, you know, no one wants that to happen," said 15-year-old Bryden Kade.
Bryden and his friend, 16-year-old Knox Pritchard, met at church camp.
During a game of freeze tag with friends, Knox dove into the water but didn't resurface.
"He must have hit his head into the sand and did something to his neck because he didn't come back up," Kade said.
Panic quickly turned into action.
"His limp body and how pale he was and just him not breathing, I knew it was not a good situation at all," Kade said.
Kade and his friends immediately began performing CPR, a skill he said he learned in his freshman health class.
"He just sat there in my arms, and he was starting to wake up a little bit. He was asking me what happened and if he was going to be okay. I told him, 'Yeah, man, you drowned, and you're going to be okay. We're getting you help,'" said Bryden's mother, Briana, recalling what her son told her happened.
Less than a week later, Briana reflected on receiving the frantic phone call.
"I was wondering how Knox was doing and thinking about my son's mental state, making sure he knew they did everything they could to save him," Briana said.
Knox suffered spinal cord injuries but has since undergone surgery. He is now stable and on the road to recovery.
"We were all just freaking out, and we were all just screaming to God for help, for Him to save our friend. And He did," Kade said.
Bryden now urges all teenagers to learn CPR.
"When you're in class learning how to save people, pay attention and take it seriously because they're lifesaving measures," Kade said.
It's a skill anyone can learn and may one day need to use. The American Red Cross offers CPR training and certification throughout Illinois.
Those interested in supporting Knox's recovery can donate through the family's GoFundMe page. Updates on his recovery are also available on the family's Facebook page.
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