12 January 2006

Climatech Regional Lifeguards win the December Real Groovy Rescue of the Month for Rescue at Piha

Climatech Regional Lifeguards based at Piha have taken out the Surf Life Saving Northern Region “Real Groovy Rescue of the Month” award for their outstanding rescue at Piha on 28 December 2006 announced Andy Kent Surf Life Saving Northern Region Development Officer today.

The Climatech Regional Guard Service will be presented with a certificate, Real Groovy vouchers and two Hutchwilco lifejackets and as part of the award.

Andy Kent says that the Real Groovy Rescue of the Month is a token of appreciation to lifeguards for the great service they provide to the community.

Details of Rescue:

Name of Club / ServiceClimatech Regional Lifeguard Service - Piha Date of IncidentThursday, 28 December 2006 Time of Incident1615-1830hrs Names of Lifeguards InvolvedDuncan Clarke, Daniel Lacy, Ian Weaver, Scott Douglas, Kris O’Neil, Mitchell Johnson, Rob Pidgeon, Jamie Piggins Location of Incident Camel Rock, South end of Piha

At approximately 4.15pm on Thursday, 28 December 2006, Piha’s Climatech Regional Lifeguard Service (RLS) Lifeguards Dan Lacy and Ian Weaver were in an inflatable rescue boat (IRB) helping surfers stuck in Patiki rip when they noticed a man face down clutching onto the rocks of Camel Rock, being pounded by three metre waves.

After signalling for assistance Dan tried unsuccessfully to swim to the rocks to assist the patient, leaving Lifeguard/Cameraman Scott Douglas to crew the boat with Ian Weaver. About this time Kris O’Neil and Mitchell Johnson arrived on the scene in a second IRB. Kris attempted to swim to the rocks, again being forced back by the huge waves.

Patrol Captain Duncan Clarke radioed to SurfCom to request the Westpac Rescue Helicopter for a potential winch rescue. It was then decided to attempt to reach the patient by swimming through the Key Hole. Kris took his boat and crew into the bay on the land side of Camel Rock and on this second swimming attempt Kris was able to reach the patient and yelled to the IRB crew standing by that he would require help. Dan Lacy then followed Kris through the Key Hole, out into the open ocean, facing the same three metre plus conditions that were pounding Kris and the patient. Details were relayed back to Duncan at the Piha tower that there was the possibility of a spinal injury to the patient, and this was rapidly relayed to SurfCom who contacted Ambulance Services. Duncan then sent Mitchell Johnson through the Key Hole with a back board, neck brace, extra tubes and a radio in an aqua bag. With radio communications now established it was made clear that the patient was in a stable condition and did not have any serious injuries.

While this main rescue was being performed, lifeguards also went to the aid of, and secured, the patient’s female friend who was in a distressed state, clutching the rocks and nearly being swept through the Key Hole herself.

In the treacherous conditions, and with the lack of a safe area to winch the male patient off Camel Rock, it was decided to swim the patient off the rocks and out to a waiting IRB. This near-impossible task was completed speedily and with utmost professionalism, despite the extreme risk to all the lifeguards involved.

With both patients safely returned to the beach, without serious injury, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was stood down. The male patient was transported to the Piha Surf Life Saving Club’s First Aid room and treated by Rob Pidgeon and off-duty lifeguard Jo Piggins for severe cuts and abrasions, and monitored until an ambulance arrived. The female friend was also transported to the Piha SLSC and treated for minor grazes.

Throughout the entire rescue Jamie Piggins maintained the flagged area at the south end of the beach ensuring up to 60 people in the water remained safe. The other Climatech RLS lifeguards at the United North Piha end of Piha maintained their flagged area and beach with a skeleton crew of two lifeguards.

Had all lifeguards involved not reacted the way they did, and shown their outstanding skills and expertise in such difficult conditions, the situation would have likely ended in tragedy.

ENDS

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