On the morning of Friday March 21, 2008, a member of our Somers club suffered a heart attack during his morning swim. Thanks to the quick actions of our staff, plus the efforts of two members, we're happy to report that 66-year-old Otto Seiderer is on the road to recovery.

Jeff Myers, an NYSC lifeguard and swim instructor said he noticed Mr. Seiderer's head leaning against a rope separating the swim lanes before becoming completely submerged in the water. Myers quickly dove in and pulled Mr. Seiderer above the water.

"He was gurgling and trying to breathe, but never spoke or anything," said Myers, who has been a certified lifeguard for 20 years "Then his face turned red, and suddenly blue."

Myers, along with fellow lifeguard Katie DeSimone, Personal Trainers Brenda Cohen and Melanie Scala, Fitness Service Manager Nancy Hiller and two club members, Sherri Fein and Rob Reynolds, all helped pull Mr. Seiderer out of the pool. The staff rushed into action by performing CPR and then a defibrillator on Mr. Seiderer, who regained consciousness before an ambulance transported him to Putnam Hospital Center.

Carolyn Seiderer, who is Otto Seiderer's daughter said that her father wanted to thank all those who helped save his life at NYSC Somers and let them know that "they're my heroes." "God has already blessed us," she added. "We have my father back, thanks to these people."
New York Sports Clubs CEO Alex Alimanestianu spoke with the Seiderer family recently. In a statement to The Journal News, he said he was proud of the way his staff handled the situation. "It's a great feeling to make a difference in a time of crisis and we look forward to seeing Mr. Seiderer back in the club once he is back on his feet," he said.