Australian Lifeguard magazine - Surf Life Saving Australia

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timely trial tosave beachgoersIn Western Australia, a fresh, new partnership is helpingmake beaches that little bit safer during a cardiacarrest emergency over the summer months. Startingthis season the St John Ambulance ‘First Responder’system has expanded its network of trained people tosome of WA’s busiest beaches in a partnership with SurfLife Saving Western Australia (SLSWA).Cardiac arrest is a major killer of people in Australia withapproximately 30,000 people dying as a result each year. Thefirst 8-10 minutes is crucial to a person’s survival rate after acardiac arrest (when the heart stops due to an internal electricalmalfunction). Sadly, with every minute of delay, the chance/riskof death increases by 10 percent so a fast response is vital.A cardiac arrest does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone,anytime, anywhere – even on a fun day at or close to the beach.This trial program, in partnership with SLS, will mean an increasein trained ‘First Responders’ available on the scene with adefibrillator device (AED), which could make all the difference tosomeone’s life whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive.This First Responder trial program is running from January4 through to the end of April at some of WA’s most popularseaside spots: Cottesloe Beach in the metropolitan area;Middleton Beach (Albany), Secret Harbour (Rockingham),Smiths Beach(Yallingup) and Yallingup Beach.How the beach-based ‘First Responder’ system trial works:• a triple zero call (000) is received by a St John AmbulanceCommunications officer. If the location is one of these trialbeaches a system alert will be triggered indicating that aregistered Surf Life Saving First Responder could be close tothe emergency area;• the St John Ambulance Operations Centre despatches anambulance and contacts the First Responder listed for thatbeach; and• the beach-based First Responder heads to the emergencyarea and commences critical resuscitation techniques,including using a semi-automatic defibrillator device (AED)if necessary, particularly if a cardiac arrest or a suspectedcardiac arrest has occurred, prior to the ambulance arriving.“St John Ambulance is really pleased to announce this projectin partnership with Surf Life Saving WA” said Chief Executiveofficer, Tony Ahern. “We anticipate that this seasonal trialwill be a great asset not just to our organisations in assistingwhen the unimaginable happens, but also for the families andfriends and other beach-goers who are confronted by such anunexpected crisis.”“Surf Life Saving WA is really excited in moving forward withthis new partnership” said Beach Services Coordinator, Mattdu Plessis, who also runs the Australian Lifeguard Service (WA).“Saving lives and building great communities is our main focus,and by being part of the St John Ambulance First ResponderScheme, we are offering our beach communities, councils andthe general public extended life saving services in public placessuch as public parks and cafes on our beachfronts. We hopethat being part of early intervention strategies during cardiacarrests will save lives”, said du Plessis.If you’d like to know more about the First Responder program,contact Matt on (08) 9243 9444 or mduplessis@mybeach.com.au30 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011
ford thinker: slsa has a new presidentSurf Life Saving Australia has sworn in a new Presidentwith Immediate Past President Rankin AM steppingdown after 9 years at the helm. Long time Bronte (NSW)Surf Lifesaver GRAHAM FORD is the new man at thetop and LIFEGUARD spoke to Graham about what itmeans to him and what his goals are for the nationalpeak aquatic rescue organisation.Name:Graham FordSurf Club: Bronte SLSCYears in lifesaving: 20Positions held: Patrol Captain, Club Captain, Trainer,Assessor, Junior Coordinator, various management roles andClub President for the last 10 yearsLIFEGUARD: Surf Life Saving tends to run in the family, arethere lots of Ford’s running around the beach?Graham Ford: My five kids have been through nippers and havebeen active patrol members and now we have six grandkidsand they are starting out in nippers which ensures that the Fordlegacy in lifesaving continues.LG: What does it mean to you to be a lifesaver?GF: Being a lifesaver is not just a euphemism but a statementof fact. To be part of a team and the camaraderie of the surf istruly unique. Fortunately I can now pass this knowledge andskill of being a lifesaver from one generation to another.LG: What has been your greatest achievement to date inlifesaving?GF: Training and mentoring a nipper who became anoutstanding lifesaver and performed an amazing rescue off thecliffs of Bronte which saved a person’s life and was recognisedby SLSA with a meritorious award.LG: Why did you choose to stand for president of SLSA?GF: To represent the grass roots of the organisation, its Clubsand members and to help develop a strategic plan that all levelsof the organisation have input.LG: With a new President comes new ideas, what are yourmain goals for your time as president?GF: My goal is to ensure all levels of the organisation areworking together off a universally agreed strategic plan. Weneed every member, volunteer or paid, to take ownership of theplan and communicate together effectively. We also need thegreater lifesaving industry to all be working on a similar level –working together as one.LG: Have you ever been a paid lifeguard?GF: No, but my son Stephen has been both locally and overseasin the USA and Channel Islands (UK).LG: Over the last couple of years the relationships betweenSLS and Council operated lifeguard services has been goingfrom strength to strength, what do you see as our biggestopportunity for the future in this area?GF: To deliver a national 24/7 lifesaving emergency rescue andsafety service integrated between clubs, support operations andlifeguard services combining both volunteer and paid staff tomake it happen in the most effective and efficient way.Immediate Past President Ron Rankin AM (L) welcomes newPresident Graham Ford at the opening of SLSA’s new Surf Housein Rosebery (NSW).LG: You’ve been patrolling on Bronte for a long time alongsideCouncil lifeguards. How do you work together and maintain agood relationship?GF: It’s a great environment, we work together well, especiallywith most of the lifeguards being club members , like Harries& Hoppo (Harries has been coaching our nipper squads for awhile now and the kids love him). In fact most of the boys fromWaverly Council are or have been Bronte Surf Club members.At the end of the day it’s about respect, communication andcooperation between all of us.LG: To finish up, can you finish this sentence: “In the perfectworld lifeguards and lifesavers… (GF:) work together to savelives and keep our beaches safe for the public.”SLSA has new Operations Managerbut still a PeterPeter AgnewPeter George AMPeter Agnew (left)has moved on fromSLSA; Peter GeorgeAM moves from avolunteer role to apaid role at SLSAIn other SLSA operations staff news, long time GeneralManager – Operations, Peter Agnew has moved onafter 9 years in the role. Agnew, who has left to start hisown business in education and mentoring, has playeda leading role in the growth and professionalism of theoperations team and will be sorely missed. The great newsfor the organisation is that past Director of Lifesaving,Peter George AM, who has been on the national Boardof Lifesaving for 15 years – 10 as Director – and is the ILSLifesaving Commissioner, has stepped in to replace Agnewin a broader role as Chief Operating Officer. George bringsa wealth of experience from both his lifesaving roles and asthe Head of Finance for Property at Westpac for 15 years.Matthew Thompson, SLSA Coastal Safety Services Manager,has taken on a number of Agnew’s responsibilities also.In the next Issue of LIFEGUARD we will take a look back atRon Rankin’s time as president.Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 31
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Page 14: 01020403Archie Kalepa (L) with the
Page 17 and 18: last from the pastAre your incident
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Page 22 and 23: FEATUREvictoria: a beachsafe trip u
Page 24 and 25: the old salty dogSalty a great dog
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Page 34: science of the surfthe king of tide

Australian Lifeguard magazine - Surf Life Saving Australia

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