RLSSWA President Vaughan Davies, Taj Dutton, Travis North, Aidan Broughton, Ben D'Sylva and WA Governor Chris Dawson APM
Young sailors save man from drowning
It was only a very faint cry, but it was enough to alert a group of four men at Royal Perth Yacht Club that someone was in danger.
Aidan Broughton, Ben D’Sylva, Taj Dutton and Travis North had been enjoying a day out on the Swan River on New Year’s Eve, 2021 when they realised someone was in trouble.
An elderly man suffering from Parkinson’s Disease had fallen off the back of his boat and hit his head before landing in the river. He was semi-conscious, exhausted and suffering from exposure after 30 minutes in the water.
“As soon as we saw him in the water there wasn’t a second thought,” says Aidan, who immediately dived into the river with the rest of the group.
“We knew we just had to get straight in, get him out, make sure he’s somewhere safe and get the ambulance.”
The man, aged in his 80’s had been clinging to the back of his boat and calling out for help but others on a nearby jetty hadn’t heard his cries.
According to police, the man was close to drowning and could have died if it weren’t for the assistance of the four young men who managed to retrieve the victim from the water and placed him in the recovery position on the jetty.
Aidan and his friends called for an ambulance while monitoring the elderly man and tried to keep him conscious. The group used towels to keep the man comfortable and ensure he didn’t go into shock while they waited for paramedics to arrive.
For their actions that day, police nominated the group for a Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Award, which they were presented with at a ceremony at the State Reception Centre.
Because of their immediate and selfless actions, their patient had gone on to make a full recovery after being treated at hospital.
Aidan says the award ceremony reminded him that not every rescue has such a fortunate outcome.
“It was nice to have recognition but a bit of a bittersweet moment because a lot of people in the crowd weren’t so fortunate, some of the people they tried to rescue weren’t able to make it,” he says.
“It was nice to see the people who had been able to make it through those adverse situations come out through the other end.”
Aidan says it’s an amazing feeling knowing the man they rescued was able to go home to his family and get back out on the boat he loved so much.
“It’s quite a rewarding feeling, I think everyone has a responsibility to be competent with first aid, and should act to protect other people and help out where they can.”
If you know someone who has stepped up to help save another person’s life you can nominate them for a Bravery Award at the link below.
