Nigel Haines, Cosi Palmer, Christine Schmid, Gavin Trevena and Jim Mitchell
She did everything possible to try to save him
In March this year, Cosette (Cosi) Palmer and her fiancé Sam Hamilton were kayaking off the coast of Dawesville when Sam decided to undertake a deep free dive. After some time, Cosi noticed Sam some distance from their kayak, face down and unresponsive.
Unable to lift their anchor, she swiftly cut the rope and paddled toward Sam. Despite her small frame, with incredible strength and determination she managed to lift Sam – still wearing heavy diving weights – onto the kayak.
Realising the severity of the situation, Cosi activated their EPIRB and called 000 for assistance, before commencing CPR, never stopping until help arrived.
Jim Mitchell, Nigel Haines, Gavin Trevena and Christine Schmid from Mandurah Volunteer Marine Rescue responded to the distress call.
Gavin, Nigel and Jim lifted Sam onto their boat and took over CPR while Christine comforted Cosi. They also applied a defibrillator but it was unable to detect a shockable rhythm. The group continued with CPR and rescue breaths until a paramedic was lowered onto the boat from a rescue helicopter to assess Sam.
Despite the tireless work of Cosi and the rescue crew, Sam could not be revived.
“Cosi fought like hell to save her fiancé, and she never stopped,” said Jim afterwards. “She did everything possible, and then some more. She was exhausted when we arrived because she never gave up CPR. Her mental anguish would have been off the scale.
“Her presence of mind to undertake what she did – activate the EPIRB, ring 000 for assistance, her extraordinary strength and agility in lifting him onto the kayak deck she cleared, on an open sea, with his dive weights still attached – was quite remarkable.”
Cosi’s unwavering courage, love and resilience alongside the efforts of the Mandurah Volunteer Marine Rescue crew, exemplify exceptional bravery and dedication in the face of tragedy.
At the 2024 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards, Cosi received the prestigious Gold Cross Bravery Award, while Nigel, Jim, Gavin and Christine each received the Gold Medallion Bravery Award in recognition of their courageous efforts.
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If you know of someone who has performed an act of bravery in rescue or resuscitation in an effort to save someone's life you can nominate them for a Bravery Award at the link below.
