Like many district employees, Carlos Delgado, a project manager who works in the Fort Detrick Integrated Program Office, planned to spend the Labor Day weekend relaxing with his family and friends. He visited the Annapolis City Marina on Spa Creek on Aug. 31, intending to spend quality time with his family.
"I wanted my wife and son to see the boats that were docked there, the architectural themes on the buildings, and the U.S. Naval Academy," Delgado said.
But the Delgados got more than they bargained for. They witnessed a young man fall into the water after suffering a seizure. Delgado immediately dived in to rescue the victim. After one minute, he located the man and pulled him to the surface.
Delgado and another man pulled the victim from the water and administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other aid until paramedics arrived.
Ulric Dahlgren, the harbor master for the city of Annapolis, said Carlos Delgado is a hero. "Thanks to Mr. Delgado's quick action, a young man is alive who might not otherwise be," Dahlgren said. "Mr. Delgado was a guardian angel who saved that man's life."
Although Delgado appreciates the kind words, he avoids the spotlight. He said he took swimming, scuba, and CPR classes in college and high school, and was just putting those skills to work.
"I was just doing what any good citizen would do," Delgado said. "The feeling of helping someone is fantastic."