13-Year-Old Boy Saves Scoutmaster’s Life After He Was Thrown from Raft and Struggled to Breathe

**Teen Scout Honoured for Heroic Rescue on Georgia River**

In a remarkable act of bravery, 13-year-old Devon Champenoy saved the life of his troop leader during a precarious rafting trip on the Chattooga River in Georgia two years ago. His extraordinary actions have recently been recognised with the awarding of the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, a prestigious accolade presented by Scouting America. This award is given only to a select few, with fewer than 300 recipients since its inception in the organisation’s history.

Devon, now 15, recalled the moment of peril stating, “I didn’t feel it at the moment. It was just instinct.” His instinctive response came when Assistant Scoutmaster David Lemley fell from their raft while navigating Class III rapids near the Blue Ridge Mountains. During the chaos, Lemley was thrown from the raft not once but twice, and on his second fall, he found himself trapped as his foot became stuck, leaving him struggling to stay above the water.

Describing the harrowing experience, Lemley recounted, “My waist and head were underwater. My head’s just bouncing off rocks.” For several minutes, he battled to breathe while submerged, but it was young Devon’s swift actions that rescued him from a potentially fatal situation. Champenoy intervened by loosening Lemley’s foot, enabling him to return to the raft.

Following this life-saving action, Devon took control of the raft, expertly navigating through the challenging currents. Lemley praised the bravery of the young scout, stating, “Devon took control of the raft and, for the next 15 to 20 minutes, navigated the strong currents while guiding several first-time campers aged 10 to 11 safely through multiple sets of rapids until they reached calmer water.” His remarkable composure in a crisis exemplifies the leadership skills that Scouts are encouraged to develop.

Despite the chaos of the incident, Lemley suffered a broken foot but acknowledged that Devon’s quick thinking was crucial to his survival. He emphatically declared, “There’s no doubt in my mind — had Devon not stepped in to free my foot, I was going to die.” This sentiment underscores the immense significance of Champenoy’s actions and the impact they had on his troop leader’s life.

Reflecting on the aftermath of that fateful day, Devon expressed it took time for him to fully comprehend the magnitude of what he had accomplished. “It took a while for me to accept that I saved a life, but I think now I have,” he shared, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of his deeds.

The recent award ceremony, announced by the Red Wolf District, celebrates Devon’s heroism, marking him as an example of the values and skills taught within the Scouting programme. The Honor Medal with Crossed Palms is renowned for recognising “unusual heroism and extraordinary skill,” and receiving it places Devon among an esteemed group of scouts who have demonstrated outstanding bravery.

Devon’s journey with Scouting is still ongoing as he is currently working towards attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement available within the movement. His recent recognition may serve as further motivation as he continues navigating the challenges of Scouting.

As Devon reflects on his experience, his actions serve as an inspiration to others, showcasing how quick thinking and composure under pressure can make a significant difference in emergencies. His bravery not only saved a life but also provided valuable lessons in leadership and resilience that will resonate with fellow Scouts for years to come.