“We’re trained to respond in emergencies, but every situation is unique. It’s about being there for others, no matter where you are.” Michael Rees, Volunteer Surf Lifesaver, Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club 

In Australia, the spirit of Surf Life Saving embodies a steadfast dedication to serving our communities during times of need, both on and away from our coastlines. Recently this commitment was illustrated by the heroism of volunteer surf lifesaver, Brad Marsden, who selflessly reacted without hesitation to help rescue a family from a submerged car.  

Brad’s courageous actions at Boyd’s Bay that Saturday afternoon, is testament to a volunteer surf lifesaver’s training often extending to assisting in emergencies beyond the beach. Their readiness to act in any situation and help others during their most desperate times of need, shows the critical role they play in safeguarding the health and well-being of all Australians. Our volunteer surf lifesavers’ value to the community cannot be understated, their training and skills essential in emergencies, as demonstrated in the following heroic rescue at Kalamunda National Park in Western Australia. 

Lachlan Olive and Michael Rees, volunteer surf lifesavers from Coogee Beach SLSC, were out exploring the Bibbulmun Track, when their day of hiking and fun quickly turned into a critical rescue mission. 

In fact, when Michael’s wife dropped them off, she joked ‘Have you got your First Aid Kits? If it’s going to happen to anyone, it’ll happen to you!’ 

“She jinxed us,” Michael said with a wry smile, “because just an hour later, we were in the thick of it.” 

About 5km along the trail, the pair encountered an elderly couple in deep distress. A man frantic, desperately trying to rouse his wife who lay semi-conscious at the bottom of a steep slope, unable to move with two broken ankles. 

The urgency of the situation was clear. Lachlan and Michael’s lifesaving training kicked in and immediately the volunteer surf lifesavers sprang into action. 

“I knew time was of the essence,” Michael said, explaining how he gathered vital information about the woman’s condition and their exact location on the trail, before calmly communicating with emergency services to formulate a plan, providing clear details about the terrain and where they could meet them, with the urgency of the situation and the difficult access at the forefront of his mind.  

As Michael pushed through the dense bush off-track to meet the paramedics at a point accessible by the ambulance, Lachlan attended to the injured woman, providing both her and her husband with comfort and reassurance, and retrieving a space blanket from his First Aid Kit to keep her warm. 

When the paramedics and Michael finally reached them, Michael and Lachlan wasted no time. They worked together seamlessly, using their lifesaving training to assist the paramedics in assessing the woman’s condition and stabilising her for transport. 

“Once we got her on a scoop stretcher, we left our rucksacks behind,” Michael explained. “There were two paramedics, two of us, and we worked to extract her from the trail safely.” 

As they made their way to the waiting ambulance, the heroic volunteer surf lifesavers witnessed the husband’s fear for his wife begin to lift. When they finally reached the ambulance, the elderly man turned to Michael wrapping him in a hug.  

“Thank you!,” he exclaimed with gratitude. “I was so scared I was going to lose her.” 

“We were trained for this, but the gravity of the moment hit us hard,” Michael explained. “It wasn’t warm that day, and if they’d been out there all night, exposure would have had a serious impact. 

“You could see the fear in the husband’s eyes and then the relief when he realised she was going to be okay. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do,” Michael said reflecting on the emotion of the rescue.