Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre staff awarded for saving a life

15 November 2024

Four staff members have received Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Awards for their extraordinary bravery and teamwork during a major emergency at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre last May. 

It was a regular but busy day at work for Aquatics Officer Debbie Gillard, and Lifeguards Kate Chaisty, Ryan Felton, and Phillip David before a patron fell unconscious while swimming laps in the program pool during shift change.  

The pool was packed with at least 60 students in the water for swimming lessons, plus teachers and other pool patrons.  

Regardless, the team immediately jumped into action, removing the patron, Heinz, from the pool with a spinal board before Katie and Debbie performed compressions and Phillip and Ryan provided ventilations with a bag mask.  

They administered two shocks with the defibrillator and performed continuous CPR before he regained his pulse. The team continued to provide oxygen and monitor Heinz until paramedics arrived.  

It was later discovered that Heinz had suffered a massive heart attack, but thanks to the quick response of the team, he went on to make a full recovery.  

The combined efforts of the team, with support from other aquatics staff, were crucial in providing timely and effective care. 

“Debbie, Phil, Kate and Ryan were outstanding in their first Aid skills, keeping calm and professional at all times, their hard work is a credit to their training, passion and caring nature,” said City of Mandurah Recreation Facility Coordinator Adrian Timms, who nominated the staff for their award.  

“The Aquatics Team worked so professionally and extremely well as a team under these circumstances and a stressful situation.” 

For their actions, Debbie, Ryan and Phillip received the Gold Star and Kate the Gold Medallion Bravery Award.  

Do you know someone who deserves a Bravery Award? 

Nominations for the Bravery Awards can be made by anyone who has information about the incident, at any time of the year. Learn more at the link below. 

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