Royal Life Saving WA's Peter Leaversuch with Corey Hollow and David Trotter
Lifeguards save heart-attack victim
When a participant collapsed in a group fitness class at HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont, lifeguard Corey Hollow was quick to put his first-aid training into action.
Seeing that the man was not breathing, Corey radioed for colleague David Trotter, who arrived with a defibrillator. In the meantime, Corey had commenced CPR with the assistance of bystanders.
David arrived with the defibrillator and attached it to the casualty. The defibrillator gave an initial assessment and delivered one shock. Corey and David then continued two-operator CPR for a further two minutes until signs of life began to be noticed.
The patient, Gary, was then placed in the recovery position until paramedics arrived. The paramedics took him to hospital where he spent a few days recovering from a heart attack.
The quick actions and response from the two lifeguards ensured that Gary was able to be treated quickly and made a full recovery.
Although Corey admits that he could have panicked, he remained calm knowing that a life was in his hands. “I knew I was responsible for making sure an ambulance was on the way, so I utilised a patron to start compressions while I started on the oxygen,” he recalls.
“David arrived within 20 seconds of me and immediately attached the defib and also replaced the patron on compressions and we just continued on from there until ambulance arrived.”
According to Corey, taking part in a quality first-aid course is vital for lifeguards and aquatic managers. “I believe it is extremely important to not only know CPR but to react and put the training into practice,” he says. “You never know when you may need it.”
Corey Hollow and David Trotter were awarded a Gold Star Bravery Award for their actions.
Quality first-aid courses and refreshers are available in Perth through Royal Life Saving WA for just $99, and come recommended by lifeguards and aquatic managers.
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