Lifesaving training saves a life at Hobart Aquatic Centre

The importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillators has been demonstrated by lifeguards at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre.

Veteran underwater hockey player Marc Richards (pictured centre) suffered a heart attack while in the pool late last month.

He was hauled from the water by teammates where supervising lifeguard Fraser Kelly, aged 22 (pictured right), and colleague James Clues, aged 18 (pictured left), put their training into action by applying CPR and a nearby Automated External Defibrillator (AED), keeping 67-year-old Richards alive until paramedics arrived. Richards was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery and is now expected to make a full recovery.

Looking back on the incident while thanking the two lifeguards, Richards, a former Australian underwater hockey representative, stated “about 10 minutes into the first half I conked out.

"There was a bit of pain and then the next thing I know I was on the side of the pool deck. They got me out and they started CPR and put the AED on me at least three times.

"I tried to drown and have a heart attack at the same time, so I had a taken in a lot of water as well. I knew I was in a lot of strife because I was having trouble breathing so I was trying to keep calm.

"I would have been gone without their help. The players in the pool were quick to get me out and then the lifeguards knew what to do and were very responsive.”

Acting Hobart Lord Mayor Helen Burnet paid tribute to the staff and community members that came to Richards' aid, commenting “it is a great credit to all involved that this ends up as a good news story and not a tragedy.

"This training is so vital and not just for lifeguards, but for all members of the community as you never know where and when it will be needed to save a life."

Royal Life Saving Society (Tas) Project and Programs Manager Karina Siggins said CPR was a critical life-saving procedure.

Siggins noted “during cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood to the brain and other vital organs.

"With a decrease in blood flow to the brain, the victim falls unconscious.

"The brain can suffer damage in as few as three minutes without proper blood flow.

"CPR helps to keep blood flowing and may help minimize the damage to the victim."

Richards message to the public was to be aware of any heart conditions, but also wished for CPR to be taught in schools and at all sporting clubs/organisations, adding “it is vital, especially in any sporting organisation.

"They should have at least one person at any event or match with good, current CPR knowledge and practice."

Image: Marc Richards (centre) thanks lifeguards James Clues and Fraser Kelly for putting their training into action by applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a nearby Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to keep him alive after he suffered a heart attack in the pool last month.