Five Blacktown City lifeguards commended for saving a man’s life

NSW Royal Life Saving’s highest honour has been awarded to five Blacktown City lifeguards at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope for saving a man’s life after he suddenly collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a game of basketball.

Blacktown lifeguards Craig Felstein, Jerome Golledge, Adrian Rossi, Hamish Wilson and Jaime Valencour were presented with certificates of commendation at the NSW Royal Life Saving Commendation Awards at Government House in Sydney.

These awards acknowledge members of the community for their acts of ‘outstanding initiative, expertise and empathy towards their fellow human beings by applying lifesaving skills in emergency situations’.

The lifeguards were called to assist with the emergency situation last May, when they found the man unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing.

After contacting emergency services, the quick-thinking lifeguards performed life-saving CPR on the man for up to 15 minutes, used a defibrillator and gave him emergency oxygen while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

Their heroic actions helped the man’s breathing return by the time ambulance crews arrived and took him to hospital.

By the following day, the man had made a miraculous recovery, thanks to the swift response by the lifeguards at the centre.

Paramedics praised the lifeguards and staff who rendered emergency first aid to the man advising “there was no doubt that the actions of the team on that evening saved this man’s life”.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale applauded the men for their actions noting “there is nothing more rewarding than knowing your efforts helped save someone’s life.

“The staff at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope are extremely deserving recipients of this award.

“The outcome of this incident could have been very different if it weren’t for their level-headedness and initiative during a high-stress situation.

“They should be extremely proud of their actions that saved a life that day.”

The lifeguards also received a Values Award from Blacktown City Council in recognition of their actions.