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On Tuesday 28th December 2010, the Rockingham Wild Encounters Ferry was taking tourists and locals to and from Penguin Island. Many tourists and locals decide to make the journey by walking across the sandbar. Generally in the morning conditions are suitable to make a safe crossing however depending on winds and tidal movements, it can be a very different story in the afternoon when people are heading home. The 28th of December 2010 was one such day.
Rockingham Wild Encounters Skipper Justin Downie and his crew had already rescued several people who had underestimated the traitorous nature of the sandbar crossing and was in the middle of rescuing another family when he noticed 4 people being swept off the sandbar. He called Rockingham Wild Encounters Director Aaron Heath to call the DEC Rangers for assistance. Aaron made contact with DEC Ranger Murray Banks who launched the dinghy and went to the group’s aid. Upon arrival at the group, only 1 was conscious. Murray immediately began lifting them into the dinghy. Unable to lift the 4th person in Murray had to hold onto him while driving the boat with the 3 other patients safely to shore.
Once ashore Aaron, Justin and Murray began CPR on 3 of the patients while Rockingham Wild Encounters Director Terry Howson took the DEC dinghy out again and proceeded to save another 9 people in serious difficulty on the sandbar crossing with the assistance of DEC Ranger Sean Emmet.
On shore, one of the patients was able to be revived and Aaron and Justin continued CPR on the other two patients until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately they passed away at the scene.
If it had not been for the immediate recognition and courageous lifesaving actions of the team at Rockingham Wild Encounters and the DEC Rangers, many more people may have tragically lost their lives that day.
On 23rd April 2011 the rider of a motorcycle had lost control, resulting in a crash. Witnessing the accident and without hesitation Joanne Stanislous, an off duty nurse, ran to the riders aid. She initiated the D.R.A.B.C response and noticed the rider was bleeding heavily from his head area. She proceeded to take her own shirt off to help stop the bleeding, before another witness to the accident, Reginald McCormack, threw his shirt to her. Requesting help from Reginald and his friends, Joanne instructed them to roll the patient into the recovery position, to establish an airway, while maintaining spinal management.
Joanne then cleared the rider’s mouth of fluid and debris, discovered there was no pulse and then safely rolled the patient onto his back with the help of Reginald and his friends. Joanne commenced CPR while Reginald maintained pressure on the wound and reassured the patient. Luke McCormack and Adrian Mack assisted with traffic management to prevent further injury.
Becoming fatigued, Joanne requested Reginald to take over the breathing component of CPR and she continued with compressions, instructing Reginald when to breathe. The patient regurgitated a number of times during the process while Joanne and Reginald still continued with CPR.
They continued until paramedics arrived and took control of the medical assistance. The Patient was transported to hospital where he later unfortunately passed away.
If it weren’t for the courageous and selfless lifesaving acts of these young people, the rider would have passed away on the roadside.
Early this year, six local Collie boys aged 11 to 13 saved their friend's life when they dragged him unconscious from the bottom of the Collie River near Lynn Street. Sam Sweeney was swimming with friends Caden Henke, Matt Pearson, James Abbott, Corey Gulvin, Patrick Hollins and Luke Abbott.
Sam lost his footing and slipped down the hill, knocked into one of the boys and then hit his head on his way down into the river. The boys waited for a short time after Sam had gone underwater, but when he did not resurface, James Abbot knew something was wrong and immediately jumped back into the water. He managed to lift Sam's head above the water in a stable position while the other boys helped support Sam’s body to the safety of the shore. They then yelled out to another group of boys playing on the other side of the river to get help from James’s parents who lived nearby.
By this time Sam had come round, however the back of his head was bleeding. Patrick Hollins used skills learnt from a recently completed Royal Life Saving Bronze Star Qualification and quickly swam across the river to where the boys had left their clothes. He got a shirt, swam back and used the shirt to apply pressure to Sam's head. While the boys monitored Sam, James swam across the river, ran home and returned with a kayak which the boys used to carry Sam to the other side of the river where James parents were waiting. Sam's parents were also on their way to the scene.
Sam was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with mild concussion and got four stitches in the back of his head. It was the combined immediate lifesaving actions of all six boys that lead to their friend Sam making a full recovery in hospital. Sam is thankful that his friends were there to save his life.
In April 2011, 15 Year Old Dion Sgherza discovered his next door neighbour suffering life threatening breathing restrictions from a throat injury.
Dion immediately went to his aid utilising skills learnt in a Senior First Aid Course completed at his high school. Remaining calm and displaying maturity beyond his years, he performed CPR on the gentleman for approximately 20 minutes successfully reviving him. He continued to monitor the patient until paramedics arrived and then assisted paramedics upon their arrival.
The patient was then transported to hospital in a critical condition where he spent 4 days in intensive care before sadly passing away.
If it had not been for Dion’s calm composure in this traumatic situation, while performing instinctive lifesaving actions, the gentleman would have passed away at the scene.
On Sunday June 19 2011, while on a business trip to Singapore, Mark Watson was relaxing in his hotel room when he looked out of his hotel window and noticed a man in trouble in the hotel swimming pool below.
Mark instinctively went to his aid and by the time he had reached the pool the man was already unconscious and submerged in the water. Mark managed to successfully tow the 90kg man to the shallow end and pulled his lifeless body from the water. He immediately swung into action drawing upon the first aid skills he had learnt almost 30 years ago.
Mark commenced CPR on the young man and after a few minutes he began to show signs of life, coughing up fluid. Not knowing whether this was just air coming back out, Mark continued to work on the gentleman until such time his eyes began to flicker and a heartbeat had returned.
When paramedics arrived “No Further Shock” was advised. Mark had saved his life.
If it had not been for the quick thinking and direct lifesaving actions of Mark on that day the young Filipino man would not have survived.
On the 3rd April 2011, Euan Rainnie was upstairs in his South Perth home when he looked out the kitchen windows to see his mother Rowena Barrett floating unconscious in the deep end of the pool after she had suffered from a diabetic low.
The quick-thinking Year 5 student instinctively ran downstairs and out to the pool. Using his recently learned first aid skills, he called out to neighbours for help, jumped into the deep end and dragged his mother to the shallow end of the pool keeping her head above water in a stable position. He then checked that his mother was still breathing and monitored her until neighbours, who had heard Euan's calls for help, arrived.
The neighbours helped Euan pull his mother out of the water and he assisted them to place her in the recovery position and monitored her breathing until an ambulance arrived. He remained calm and assisted paramedics as they tended to his mother.
Euan's quick, calm and courageous lifesaving actions were all factors that led to the successful rescue and saving of his mother's life.
On Saturday the 8th January 2011, Senior Constable Anthony Van Andel and partner Const. Mike Thomson were responding to an emergency call at Naval Base Beach Kwinana. Upon arrival they flagged down a passing 4-wheel drive in an attempt to quickly locate the family and the kayaker, Ms Hull. They could see the kayak, however were unsure whether Ms Hull who has Down Syndrome and was wearing a life jacket was still alive.
Anthony immediately swam out into the ocean nearly a 1km out to the kayak and was relieved to find Ms Hull, although panicked and distressed, ALIVE. She was clinging to the overturned kayak in rough conditions with crashing over her face. Using his Royal Life Saving Bronze Medallion and Police Air-Wing Water Training he managed to right the kayak, untangle the paddle and support Ms Hull safely back to shore.
Anthony’s quick and lifesaving actions led to the successful rescue of a young lady avoiding which could potentially have been a very different outcome.
On the 31st of December 2010, Fiona Hewitt and Rob Barker, lifeguards on duty at the Beatty Park Leisure Centre, were called to an incident in the deep end of the 50 metre pool where an unconscious 17 year old boy had suffered shallow water blackout. He was pulled to the edge of the pool by two lap swimmers, who aided Rob and Fiona to safely lift the patient out of the pool.
Rob and Fiona commenced CPR and continued while fellow staff, that were called via radio for assistance, set up the defibrillator and oxygen resuscitation equipment. While the equipment was being set up, the patient started to respond to the CPR and was then placed in the recovery position. The lifeguards administered oxygen therapy and monitored the patient until the ambulance arrived.
The patient was fully conscious by the time paramedics were ready to transport him to hospital. The young man remembers trying to swim the length of the pool underwater and didn’t remember anything until he had woken up during CPR.
The quick response and efficient emergency management ensured the patient received the best possible medical attention.
On Thursday 13th October 2011, a 68 year old female patron of City of Gosnells Leisure World was discovered face down in the water. Responding immediately to the call for assistance Lifeguard Curtis Naylor pulled the unconscious patient from the water with the assistance of Patron Pam Badani and initiated the D.R.A.B.C response and determined the patient was unresponsive.
He immediately commenced CPR while lifeguard Reece Moore – a trainee lifeguard – set up the Oxygen and Defibrillator equipment ready for use. Curtis applied the defibrillator pads and “Shock” was advised. Curtis administered the shock and continued with oxygen therapy. The defibrillator now displayed “no shock advised”.
While this was all taking place Jarrad Parry initiated the emergency evacuation procedures and instructed reception to call an ambulance.
It was 19 minutes before paramedics arrived during which time the lifeguards continually assessed the patient’s vital signs and continued with the oxygen therapy. The paramedics then took over the stabilisation of the patient who it was later found had suffered a stroke followed by a heart attack.
The patient was transported to Royal Perth Hospital where she made a full recovery.
The quick lifesaving actions performed by the team of employees at City of Gosnells Leisure World resulted in the successful resuscitation of the lady. Without their immediate response she may not be here today.
On Sunday 20 March 2011, about 10 minutes after the Claremont Swimming had opened, Lifeguard on duty Tehya Robertson spotted a swimmer in lane eight of the 50m pool floating face down, unconscious in the water.
Tehya instantly called fellow Lifeguards on duty Chris Cotton and Luke Swanson for assistance and dove into the water and safely removed the unconscious 70 year old man from the pool within 10 seconds, Tehya checked for signs of life and called a ‘Major Emergency’ as no signs of life were present whilst Lifeguard Luke Swanson ran over with the oxygen equipment to assist.
Tehya and Luke then worked together administering CPR on the patient whilst Lifeguard Chris Cotton called emergency services and obtained the defibrillator equipment. After a period of CPR the victim regained signs of life and was placed into the recovery position and monitored by the Lifeguards until the ambulance arrived.
The quick and combined lifesaving actions undertaken by the Lifeguards at Claremont Swimming Pool resulted in the man making a full recovery in hospital.
The rescue comes just four months after the Claremont Swimming Pool received 100 % in an audit from the Royal Life Saving Society WA.
On Wednesday 12th October 2011, at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, a 25 year old patron swimming underwater doing water exercises did not surface. Swimming Teacher Kirsty Page and Senior Lifeguard Fabia Caldieri identified the casualty on the bottom of the pool and instantly indicated ‘an emergency situation’ and requested assistance, initiating the D.R.A.B.C response. Operations Supervisor Wendy Cole responded immediately and assisted Fabia to retrieve the casualty from the bottom of pool up onto pool deck and commenced CPR.
Duty Supervisor John Beard, collected the Emergency Defibrillator and Oxygen Resuscitation Equipment, and assisted in alternating with Wendy on the compression component of CPR while Facility Coordinator Adrian Timms relieved Fabia of the breathing component of CPR.
Centre Staff ensured that the Pool Area was cleared in an orderly manner and emergency services were contacted. They offered support and reassurance to the public and fellow employees. Kirsty Page ensured her learn to swim students were removed from the area as quickly as possible minimise exposure to the emergency situation.
It was 11 minutes before the Ambulance arrived and Lifeguard Wade Williamson directed Paramedic Crews to the scene. Wade continued supporting and reassuring the Lifeguard Team undertaking CPR.
The quick actions of all involved in the rescue at Mandurah Aquatic Centre resulted in the patient maintaining a pulse and being transported to Perth Hospital where he was placed on life support.
The Incident was a result of a fatal aneurysm and the patient sadly passed away the next day. The patient donated organs to 4 people.
| Awardee | Award | Situation |
| Rockingham Wild Encounters | Award of Merit | Rescue of 30 people off Penguin Island |
| Murray Banks | Gold Cross | Rescue of 4 people off penguin island and successful resuscitation of 1 individual |
| Sean Emmet | Bravery Commendation | Assistance with rescues off Penguin Island |
| Joanne Stanislous | Gold Cross | Witness roadside accident and provided CPR |
| Reginald McCormack | Gold Medallion | Witness roadside accident and provided EAR |
| Luke McCormack | Bravery Commendation | Witness roadside accident and provided assistance |
| Adrian Mack | Bravery Commendation | Witness roadside accident and provided assistance |
| James Abbott | Gold Medallion | 11 Yr old boy rescued friend from bottom of the Collie River |
| Patrick Hollins | Gold Star | 13 Yr old boy assisted to stop bleeding of patient |
| Luke Abbott | Bravery Commendation | Assisted in situation |
| Caden Henke | Bravery Commendation | Assisted in situation |
| Matthew Pearson | Bravery Commendation | Assisted in situation |
| Corey Gulvin | Bravery Commendation | Assisted in situation |
| Dion Sgherza | Gold Medallion | 15 Yr old boy performed EAR on patient |
| Mark Watson | Gold Medallion | Rescued and revived unconscious swimmer |
| Euan Rainnie | Gold Medallion | 10 Yr old boy rescued unconscious mother from home swimming pool |
| SC Anthony Van Andel | Gold Medallion | Rescued young lady with down syndrome being swept out to sea |
| Beatty Park Leisure Centre | Gold Star | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Rob Barker | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Fiona Hewitt | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| City of Gosnells Leisure World | Gold Star | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Jarrad Parry | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Curtis Naylor | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Reece Moore | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Pam Badani | Gold Star Certificate | Assistance in the rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Claremont Swimming Pool | Gold Star | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Tehya Robertson | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Chris Cotton | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Luke Swanson | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre | Gold Star | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Wendy Cole | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Adrian Timms | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Wade Williamson | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| John Beard | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Fabia Caldieri | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
| Kirsty Page | Gold Star Certificate | Rescue of unconscious swimming patron |
Please see here for more information about the bravery awards and how to nominate…
