Despite the best efforts of volunteers surf lifesavers and paramedics a man was unable to be revived after suffering a medical emergency at Ocean Beach on the state’s Central Coast on Sunday.
The 45-year-old was participating in a weekly social swim when he got into difficulty at around 830am.
After being pulled unconscious from the water volunteer surf lifesavers sprung into action to treat the patient who was not breathing. Fortunately the club members were present in the vicinity as they were preparing for their morning patrol. As a result CPR treatment was able to commence within minutes.
The State Operations Centre was also advised of the incident and alerted police and paramedics who were also tasked to the scene.
Paramedics took over treatment and the man was transported to hospital but he was unable to be revived. Ocean Beach Director of Lifesaving Katie Dixon said the lifesavers involved did a fantastic job under extremely difficult circumstances.
“This medical situation was an extremely challenging incident for our members who never gave up and reacted exactly the way their training prepared them to.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t the outcome we wanted but the paramedics and staff at the hospital also praised the efforts of the lifesavers involved and they can take pride in the fact that their professionalism and dedication meant he had at least a chance,” she said.
The Ocean Beach members involved will participate in a critical incident debrief as part of the standard operating procedures following a serious incident.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing with a report to be prepared for the coroner.
Sunday 22 October 2017