Heroic Life or Death Rescue in Western Australia
“Mere seconds can be the difference between life and death. We immediately launched the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) and headed to the scene” – Lachlan Olive, Volunteer Surf Lifesaver, Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Last summer, a heroic lifesaving rescue occurred on one of our Western Australian beaches that demonstrates the vital work of our volunteer surf lifesavers.
This story truly epitomises the spirit of our volunteers and the critical importance of the training they undergo to ensure they are rescue-ready to patrol our beaches and keep us safe from harm.
Volunteer surf lifesaver, Lachlan Olive, was on patrol at Coogee Beach when a distraught female approached patrolling members, concerned she could not locate her mother, Maria*.
The pair had become separated whilst snorkelling at the Omeo shipwreck, approximately 1.5km north of Coogee Beach’s patrolled area.
“There was immediate concern when Sarah*, informed me her mother had been complaining of current chest pain just before they became separated,” Lachlan said.
“It was vital we located Maria as quickly as possible.
“Mere seconds can be the difference between life and death in a situation such as this one. We immediately launched the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) and headed to the scene, quickly joined by a secondary IRB to assist the search.
“Once the second IRB was on scene, I was able to take control on shore, communicating with Sarah to ensure we had all relevant information about her mother, including her physical description, last known location, medical history and swimming ability.
“All this information was critical to relay back to the Patrol Captain and other patrolling members involved in the search to ensure we could locate Maria as quickly as possible and be prepared for any additional challenges surrounding her wellbeing.
“From shore, I utilised my skills and training as a volunteer surf lifesaver, to quickly create a plan and coordinate the rescue team to locate Maria.
“Both IRBs were to conduct a creeping line search pattern, patrolling members on shore were tasked to conduct a land search on the beach, rocks and grassed areas. Other members were to remain with Sarah to ensure she received all the support and reassurance she needed at this traumatic time. All members of the public were evacuated from the water too,” Lachlan said as he described the immense search effort that was coordinated with the lifesaving goal of finding Maria and ensuring she was returned safely to her distraught daughter on the beach.
Then finally, Maria was sighted by one of the IRB crew on a rock wall near the water.
“The relief felt by the entire patrol crew was immense,” Lachlan said.
“Immediately, Sarah was informed to help ease the anxiety she was experiencing, and I guided the patrol members who were with Maria to conduct a primary assessment to ensure she had not swallowed any water and did not require further medical attention with the concern of her earlier chest pain.”
You can imagine the immense relief felt by Sarah when she realised her beloved mother was found safe and well. Without the quick actions of Lachlan and the patrol team in coordinating the search and rescue, the outcome could have been very different. A daughter mourning the loss of her mother in what was meant to be a day of fun, enjoying the water.
Thankfully, the outcome for Maria and Sarah was a positive one, due to the training and heroic actions of the volunteer surf lifesavers involved that day.
We spoke to Lachlan about the challenges involved with this rescue and how his experience and training assisted him.
“Some challenges included managing patrol members of different abilities, vital to ensuring the rescue operation ran smoothly, and communicating with the distressed daughter, ensuring we received crucial information from her and providing support during an incredibly traumatising situation for her.
“My experiences as a volunteer surf lifesaver and Surf Com Operator allowed me to remain calm and understand the processes required to successfully coordinate the team of rescuers and locate the missing person
“Following this rescue, I’d like to remind the public that when swimming or snorkelling always assess the conditions and your ability to swim in the area. Swimming in an unpatrolled location has inherent dangers, and when snorkelling always follow the buddy rule.
“This summer, please ensure you choose a patrolled beach, and always swim between the red and yellow flags. It is the safest place on the beach,” Lachlan said.
We are so grateful to our volunteer surf lifesavers who selflessly sacrifice their own time to keep us safe, and we would also like to extend a big thank you to those who will be patrolling our beaches this coming summer across Australia.
Their heroic mission of saving precious lives and watching over our families and loved ones means we can safely enjoy that great Aussie tradition of a day spent at the beach.
In Western Australia, there were 680 precious lives saved in the last year by our heroes of the beach.
Nationally, our volunteer surf lifesavers saved 8,857 lives, returning loved one’s safely back to their families. That is someone’s child, mother, father, best friend, grandchild given a second chance at life.
The quick actions of Lachlan in drawing on the skills gained from his lifesaving training, shows why we need your help.
Training and upskilling our volunteers comes at a cost; for example, Bronze Medallion training costs at least $850.
But it doesn’t stop there. Volunteer surf lifesavers are extensively trained in First Aid, CPR, and rescue techniques. Importantly, all our volunteer surf lifesavers must continue to refresh their skills, so they are ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever we need them most.
Then there is the cost of rescue and communication equipment like the IRBs and radios used in Maria’s rescue, to support our volunteer surf lifesavers to perform rescues quickly and efficiently.
To put all this into perspective, just one surf lifesaving patrol can cost $80,000.
Lachlan spoke to us about how important supporters are to the Surf Life Saving movement, and how imperative fundraising is to the heroic work volunteer surf lifesavers do.
“Fundraising is vital to supporting the hard work volunteer surf lifesavers do at our beaches throughout the patrol season. As a volunteer surf lifesaver myself, we are so grateful for our supporters whose generous donations support our training and help purchase and maintain vital and up-to-date rescue equipment,” Lachlan said.
“I have had the opportunity to participate in multiple training courses, vital to upskill myself and build on experiences. These include Bronze Medallion, Advanced Resus, Pain Management, and Silver Medallion IRB Driver. Ongoing training is an essential part of being a volunteer surf lifesaver, as it helps build advanced skills to ensure we can react and assist whenever we are needed.
“My training not only assists me to have the ability and skills to coordinate and perform rescues such as Maria’s rescue at Coogee Beach, but also allows me to train other volunteer surf lifesavers, passing on my knowledge and experience, ensuring they are confident and rescue ready when patrolling our beaches.
“Supporting an important cause like Surf Life Saving also provides an opportunity for the public to support our lifesaving mission in their own way and assist in the facilitation of water safety initiatives up and down Australia's coastline,” he said.
This summer we have a formidable target of $590,990 to raise to support our volunteer surf lifesavers to provide vital lifesaving services and provide essential surf safety education to help keep our Australian beaches safer as we enjoy the warmer weather.
And we desperately need your help.
Surf Life Saving is a charity, and we rely on the kindness of our generous supporters to ensure our volunteer surf lifesavers are trained, equipped and ready to respond whenever you, I, or our loved ones need their help.
And whether your donation is large or small, as Lachlan said, you can be assured it is appreciated by those at the front-line.
Please consider donating to Surf Life Saving to help us reach our vital target this summer. Your valuable tax-deductible donation will help our heroes on the beach continue their lifesaving mission and make our beaches safer for you, your children, your grandchildren, your loved ones, and your community to enjoy.
Together, we are building a legacy of saving lives that will continue for generations to come.