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Outstanding acts of bravery by 45 heroic individuals have been recognised in the 2018 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards.

Presented today during a ceremony hosted at the State Reception Centre in Kings Park, attended by The Honourable Wayne Martin AC, Lieutenant Governor and Administrator of Western Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society WA acknowledging a wide variety of individuals who have performed acts from in water rescues in Western Australia and overseas, through to performing life-saving first aid on the road side following serious road accidents.

Royal Life Saving Society WA’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Leaversuch says each award recipient displayed exceptional courage, empathy and initiative by applying lifesaving skills in emergency situations and sometimes at risk to themselves.

Leaversuch advised “the bravery and commitment of these individuals in saving lives is an excellent example to all Western Australians and deserves our highest recognition. It sends the strongest message possible about the importance of obtaining lifesaving skills.”

The recent Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report revealed that almost half (41%) of Western Australia’s drowning deaths occurred in the summer months during 2017/18.

Commenting on this, Leaversuch advised “as we approach another summer I encourage everyone to think about how they might, in their own way, make a contribution to drowning prevention, and saving lives. It may be to improve your own skills in CPR, first aid or rescue, to raise awareness amongst your family, friends or workplace, or to help someone in need. Everyone can be a lifesaver.

Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards - Awardees 2018

Harley Carey & Kendall Walter, Scarborough
Lifeguards Harley and Kendall saved the life of a swimmer at the new Scarborough Beach Pool after he collapsed and stopped breathing during a swimming session.

Jackson and Connor Evans, Bali, Indonesia
Brothers Jackson and Connor were swimming at Kuta Beach in Bali when they spotted a European tourist stuck in a rip and being taken out to sea. The brothers swam out to the man and brought him back to shore.

Tanika Buscombe, Yokine
Lifeguard Tanika was called on to assist a man who was found unconscious at the Wordsworth Reserve in Yokine. She ran across from the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, providing CPR until emergency services arrived.

James Annetts, Pia Rodgers, Molly Higgins and Christine Walker; Fremantle
This lifeguard team saved the life of a swimmer who became unconscious while swimming laps at Fremantle Leisure Centre. They provided life saving CPR until emergency services arrived.

Harrison Jory, Gabbadah (near Guilderton)
Yanchep 11-year-old Harrison saw his friend suffer a seizure in the swimming pool at a birthday party, and rescued him from the water, saving his life.

Mark Skrzypek, Fremantle
Mark, a Harbour Master at the Fremantle Sailing Club, spotted a man jump from a boat and fail to surface. He entered the water, pulling the man up from the seabed and saving his life.

Rhiannon Keel, Pete Delaney, Sam Hendry, Josh Wood, Andrew Macray and Michael Pinkham; Cockburn
These lifeguards at Cockburn ARC responded to a woman who was suffering a mental health crisis at the facility, working hard to rescue her from the water as she actively tried to propel herself to the bottom of the pool.

Nathan Miller, Balga
Nathan was called upon to assist an unconscious man at a local shopping centre, while on a break from his duties at Leisurepark Balga. He trained a bystander on-the-go, to assist him in performing lifesaving CPR.

Dan Holman and Marie MacDonald, Edgewater
Dan and Marie saw a man thrown from his motorcycle in peak hour traffic on the Mitchell Freeway, dragging the man to safety and performing lifesaving CPR on the roadside.

Milla Fearnall, Jurien Bay
While at the beach with her family, five-year-old Milla noticed her sister Indy had fallen in the water and was struggling to surface. Milla raced over to her sister and pulled her up, holding her head out of the water while calling for their parents to help.

Raphael Gabriel, Balga
Lifeguard Raphael quickly spotted three young children who were panicking after getting out of their depth while at Leisurepark Balga. In responding so efficiently to the emergency, he saved three lives.

Jacqueline Lees and Malcolm Gomersall, Waikiki
Jacqueline and Malcolm saw a man who’d been flung from his motorbike while driving in Waikiki. The man had serious injuries and the pair provided first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive, saving his life.

Magnus Rudisele, Tom Pawikowski, David Thompson and Marty Calley; Lansdale
Magnus, Tom, David and Marty performed CPR on their friend Paul, who had suffered a sudden heart attack during a group bike ride in Landsdale. The group’s quick response and CPR training saved Paul’s life.

Alison Brewer, Balcatta
Alison spotted a cyclist who had collapsed over his handlebars and collided with a barrier fence on a freeway overpass in Balcatta. Alison provided first aid and performed CPR on the man until emergency services arrived.

Charlotte Saxon, Chris Bulgin and Sateki A’Vard; Bayswater
This lifeguard trio spotted a 12-year-old girl who’d ended up submerged in the wave pool at Bayswater Waves. They pulled her from the pool and performed life-saving CPR.

Jayla Wallace, Swan View
13-year-old Jayla threw herself in front of an oncoming truck to shield her four-year-old nephew Jordyn, who had run out into oncoming traffic in Swan View. She saved Jordyn’s life and miraculously walked away with just cuts and bruises!

Emma Mercuri, Bali, Indonesia
Emma performed lifesaving CPR on a young boy who was discovered submerged under water in a pool at a water park in Bali. Emma, a trained lifeguard from Aquamotion Wanneroo, was on holiday with friends when she found herself in the right place at the right time to save the boy’s life!

Alana Pinnock, Mercedes College, Perth
14-year-old Alana provided first aid to a student who suffered a seizure while in class at Mercedes College. Alana calmly used the skills she’d learnt through her first aid and Bronze Medallion training to ensure the girl was safely handed over to medical officers.

Helen Loake, Roko Sango, Erica Irvine and Chris Hardie; Mount Claremont
Helen provided CPR to a fellow swimmer, Lesley, who had become ill and passed out during a swim training session at HBF Stadium. She was supported by lifeguards Roko, Erica and Chris who also provided CPR, oxygen and a defibrillator, while ensuring paramedics were quickly called to care for Lesley. The quick response by all involved saved her life.

Ryan Hill, Mandurah
Ryan jumped into the water to rescue a baby and several others after a pontoon overturned during an evening outing at the Mandurah Estuary.

Ruby-Maree Ugle, Ellenbrook
Six-year-old Ruby looked after her mum, Tahni, and called for help after Tahni collapsed at home in Ellenbrook. Ruby’s calm response in caring for her mum, keeping her younger siblings away and calling for help saved her mum’s life.

Mark Lush, Dwellingup
Mark rescued a couple, Debra and Kevin O’Meara, after they got swept away by the current while attempting to cross the Murray River near Dwellingup. The pair activated an EPIRB and Mark arrived at the scene, using a rope to drag the pair to safety and providing them with warm clothing while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Matt Vermeulen, Gordon Watt, Tony Mobilia, Craig Potter; Exmouth
This crew from Bristow Helicopters were called to assist in the search for two young boys who were adrift in the ocean off Exmouth for more than 21 hours. The 12 and 18-year-old boys had run out of petrol during a quick fishing trip, and drifted out to sea with no food, water or emergency supplies. The helicopter crew spotted them the following day and winched them to safety, ensuring they were able to safely make it home.

Image shows 2018 Royal Life Saving Bravery Award winners at the State Reception Centre in Kings Park today.

Related Articles

21st September 2018 - New report reveals significant drowning risk for Western Australia’s migrant community

11th September 2018 - Belmont Oasis trains lifeguards of the future

24th August 2018 - Cockburn ARC gets further recognition with Royal Life Saving Society facility management award

16th August 2018 - Royal Life Saving WA provides Swim and Survive program for CaLD children 

20th June 2018 - Western Australian Governor named new Royal Life Saving WA Patron

3rd April 2018 - Royal Life Saving WA honouring community heroes

12th January 2017 - Royal Life Saving looks to prevent drowning in Western Australia’s migrant population

12th June 2014 - RLSSWA Swim and Survive Access and Equity Program

6th January 2012 - Minister praises WA aquatic centres for reduced water use

17th February 2010 - Rookie lifeguard to the rescue

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