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Mrs. Lucie Brouillette

Le Gardeur, Quebec

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    Awarded on: 1997-04-03
    Invested on: 1997-12-05
    On February 11, 1996, Lucie Brouillette saved a man from drowning in the Pacific Ocean at Santa Teresa de Cabano beach in Costa Rica. Caught in an undercurrent that was taking him out to sea, the man had stopped struggling and was letting himself be carried along, trying to conserve his energy in hopes of being rescued. As soon as she realized he was in trouble, Ms. Brouillette started swimming out toward him, fighting the strong current for some 200 metres before she reached him. She tried to get hold of him by the hair and then under an arm, but when these two methods failed, she tried a different tactic. She turned and swam on her back while the man rested his weight on her, holding onto her hips. Swimming in this awkward way, Ms. Brouillette slowly made her way back to shore.