MARKLE – Steven Ochs is picky when it comes to hiring new lifeguards for the Markle Pool. The retired Marine singles out maturity, focus and self-discipline as he looks through a stack of as many as 50 applicants.

Unlike local pools, Markle is a two-acre pond, as deep as 23 feet in some parts. Lifeguards have to remain focused as they scan the murky waters. Distractions such as cell phones and magazines have no place on the job.

That dedication to strict focus saved 17-year-old Ryan Lengacher's life Thursday, Ochs said.

Evan Welter wasn't supposed to be at work at Markle Pool on Thursday. The 16-year-old lifeguard from Roanoke was scheduled to be off but switched shifts with a co-worker. So he put on his red shorts and took his spot on the lifeguard chair near the high jump for his first shift when the pool opened at 11:30.

Welter had been watching the waters on his first shift for 45 minutes when something caught his eye. One of the swimmers coming to shore from a raft about 20 yards away seemed to be having difficulty.

"Are you OK?" Welter called out from the high jump platform.

"Yes," Lengacher replied.

And then he went under.

"Maybe he dove down to swim underwater for a bit," Welter thought. He'd count to 15, but if the boy didn't resurface, he'd jump in. Welter has worked at the pool for two years now, but he's never had to make a swimming rescue. He continued to count, watching for the surface of the water to break. Fifteen seconds passed and still nothing.

With two blasts on his whistle to alert the other lifeguards, Welter ran down the ramp and dived into the water. Welter's not a big guy – 5-foot-7, 132 pounds. But the high school wrestler knows how to move through water. His co-workers say he's a beast.

"What if I can't find him?" Welter thought as he swam to the spot where he saw the boy go under. He dived down and spotted Lengacher at the bottom. He wasn't moving. Welter kicked back up to get more air before diving down 18 feet to Lengacher.

Aided by adrenaline and training, Welter swam Lengacher back to shore. Disregarding the tube often used in rescues, Welter supported the 5-foot-11 17-year-old from Harlan the entire distance.

Hearing the whistle signal, Ochs leapt through the open concession window and sprinted toward the beach to help Welter.

Barbara Kaperka, 66, an emergency room nurse from Arizona, met Welter on shore, and they both began CPR. Kaperka and her daughter had been ready to leave but decided to hang around a little longer before they saw Welter dive in.

Ochs, Kaperka and Welter worked together to try and open Lengacher's airway and get him breathing again.

"What if we can't bring him back?" Welter thought. He was scared now, but he kept focused.

After a few more chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth, Lengacher came around. Soon, emergency vehicles arrived. Welter helped carry Lengacher to the ambulance that would take him to Lutheran Hospital, where he would recover.

As the scene settled down, Welter grabbed a glass of water and sat silently in the guard room with a towel. His hands shook as he completed a review form for Ochs before grabbing a hot dog.

It was the only thing he'd eaten all day.

Finally, Ochs told him to go home and get some rest. Welter sat in silence the entire time a co-worker drove him back until he collapsed, exhausted, on his bed.

Lengacher must have had an angel with him, his father said. Ryan Lengacher was expected to stay overnight in Lutheran's pediatric intensive care unit and be released the next day.

Max Lengacher and his wife, Kristi, said their son is thankful to have a second chance. He just overdid himself, they said. He thought he could make the swim back, and in the end, he was too exhausted.

"We're thankful for all of the people who were doing their jobs," Max said. "Cherish every moment you have with your children. You never know how many more there will be."

cjohnston@jg.net