Lifesavers to the rescue

Fortunately, it was all part of the City of Stirling’s emergency training, with lifeguards and beach inspectors teaming up for the first time with second year trainee St John Ambulance officers.

A group of 32 student officers took part in the event’s four emergency scenarios over four hours, which included stabilising a casualty with a spinal injury after being dumped in the surf, and resuscitating an unconscious swimmer using defibrillator equipment.

In the scenarios, the City’s beach inspectors served as first-aiders and handed the patients to SJA paramedics for treatment and transport to hospital.

Stirling beach services co-ordinator John Snook said working through various scenarios was of great benefit to beach inspectors, lifeguards and student ambulance officers.

‘This exercise helps everyone, as it gives beach staff access to ambulances on the day and that helps us familiarise ourselves with their equipment and their procedures,’ Mr Snook said.

‘That knowledge is extremely helpful when we’re involved in a real-life emergency situation.’

SJA students are in their eighth week of an 11-week intensive full-time course and will start their on-road training on completion of the course.

SJA education services executive manager Deborah Walley said the exercise was an invaluable training experience.

‘Teamwork is vital in these types of emergency situations, so if everyone understands their capabilities and roles, the patient outcome will obviously improve,’ Ms Walley said.