Open water emergency at school triathlon

Ryan MacPherson was treading water at Champion Lakes last year, waiting for the starting gun for the school triathlon, when he noticed a commotion on shore.

“I was really focused at the start line going through my vision of the race, I looked up and saw someone screaming on the beach. My teacher and mum were pointing behind me and that’s when I realised someone was in trouble,” said Ryan.

30 metres offshore, the 15-year-old said none of the other competitors had noticed the struggling swimmer and he realised he’d have to act.

“Everything fell into place, I didn’t panic, I just did what I needed to do,” he said.

Ryan swam 20 metres to reach the boy, and just as he approached, he saw a hand disappear under the water. Pushing the others out of the way, Ryan dived under water and reached for the boy, pulling him up under his arms.

“By this stage the swimmer had no fight left in him, he was completely exhausted and coughing and gasping for air,” said Ryan’s mother, Serena.

Ryan kept the boy afloat until a lifeguard arrived with a board and took him to shore where the swimmer was able to recover and was later taken to hospital to be checked out.

“As bystanders the fear we experienced was immense, we were watching someone drown but could do nothing about it,” said Serena.

“Not only did Ryan recognise there was an emergency, but he was able to remain calm and use the skills he had learnt through the VacSwim program to save a life.”

Having started VacSwim lessons at eight years old, Ryan worked his way up through the program and earned his Bronze Medallion when he was 14.

“I think having my Bronze helped me know what to do; it definitely gave me the skills and knowledge to identify the situation and how to keep myself safe and save another person,” said Ryan.

Because of his heroic actions that day, Ryan was recently presented with a Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Award at the State Reception Centre.

“We’re really proud of Ryan, and after the rescue he not only completed the race, but took out overall first place in his group,” said Serena.

If you want to enrol yourself or your child in a Bronze Medallion training course, visit the link below: