Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) lifeguards resuscitated a boy at Mona Vale beach this morning, 15 January after he was pulled from the water unconscious and not breathing.
At around 11.03am the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) was made aware of an incident unfolding on the Northern Beaches where Mona Vale ALS lifeguards requested an ambulance for a teenage male in distress.
Northern Beaches Advocate reported that the 15-year-old is understood to have been swimming with friends between the flags, and was described as a competent swimmer.
The teenager was pulled from the water by his friends and lifeguards immediately responded, delivering CPR ahead of the arrival of paramedics. The boy regained consciousness and began to breathe again before NSW Ambulance arrived.
With assistance from NSW Police, CareFlight Rescue Helicopter crew landed behind the Mona Vale Surf Club and upon arrival, CareFlight’s specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance paramedics provided treatment before the patient was flown to the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick in a stable condition.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said the incident was a timely reminder of the importance of swimming at a patrolled location, given the Northern Beaches lifeguards were able to save his life.
“With hazardous surf predicted over the coming days this incident reminds us of the value that our volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards bring to the community,” he said.
“We wish the young man a speedy recovery and are pleased that lifeguards were able to respond so quickly and deliver the appropriate first aid to help him regain consciousness.”
The Australian Lifeguard Service is SLSNSW’s contract lifeguard service which provides services to many coastal councils, including the Northern Beaches Council between Warriewood and Palm Beach.
