A local mom was honored on November 29 by the Red Cross for saving two lives.
Christina Theiss was enjoying Mother’s Day at Ocean Reef Beach with her friends and family earlier this year.
She saw two boys being pulled out by a rip current, their heads dipping below the water.
That’s when she says she jumped into the water to help.
"I saw them underneath the water. I held their heads afloat until where I could barely just touch the ground and I took my toes and I sunk my toes into the ground and I just held them,” said Theiss. “I held their faces up above the water until help came."
Lifeguards stationed further down the beach arrived to help pull the two boys from the water.
She said she didn’t realize how strong the currents were until she came out of the water and saw her shoulder was dislocated.
“We are honored to recognize Christina’s quick and timely response. Her lifesaving story not only inspires, but is reason for us to be thankful.” said Robin Nunley, Executive Director at the Palm Beach & Martin County Chapter of the South Florida Red Cross.“
The Palm Beach & Martin County Red Cross recognized Theiss, a former Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor who runs her own swim school, with the highest lifesaving award, The American Red Cross Certificate of Merit.
“If an emergency occurs, people need to know what to do until advanced medical help arrives.” added Nunley.