Community spirit alive and well

SATURDAY evening in the assembly room at the St Thomas More Primary School in Noosa, it was Noosa at its best. In what can only be described as a room flooded in community spirit, some 450 of our people from all walks of life joined together to not only dig deep, but also show their respect to the Glassock family whose commitment to the community has been outstanding.
Rugby, Nippers, lifesaving education forever working with the youth of Noosa.
Now at a time when assistance is required it is there. No holding back; great organising.
Having lived in this community for some 60 years I can safely say that I have never seen such a show of respect and support. Add to this there were an estimated 200 others not in attendance because they were unable to obtain tickets. It was a full house, packed to capacity. To Dave and family just remember if in need, your mates are just a phone call away. And well done to the organisers.
As the old hardnoses in the lifesaving movement will tell you, respect is something that people earn we just don’t give it. Dave and his clan have earned it by the bucket load.
Saturday afternoon 2.15pm, Noosa Main Beach on the water’s edge and a lady 84 years of age is fighting for her life. It all started when the lady, swimming between the flags some 20 metres off shore, and a young man collided accidently. Checking to make sure that she was all right the lady replied but then moments later collapsed face down into the water.
Realising that assistance was required the young man, without hesitation signalled for help; and under the leadership of Patrol Captain Steven Crisp, Patrol 6 their response was immediate. Within minutes the lady was brought to the water’s edge and it was then that all the hours of training under Greg McLaughlin and his training team fell into place.
Patient is checked; no breathing, no pulse, face turning blue; situation not good. Resuscitation procedure commenced, defibrillator brought from patrol area, resus team working in perfect cohesion, paramedics informed and on their way. Junior member sent to ensure entrance to the car park and beach kept clear; this will enable the paramedics to drive in as close as possible. This is vital as it reduces response time.
On the beach lifesavers use big towels to form a protective screen giving the patient and the patrol privacy required; onlookers moved away. Defibrillator connected and the machine informs resus team, No Shots Required. Doctors on holidays offered help if required, paramedics arrive. Finally the patient is stabilised and with her husband by her side, is transported by paramedics to Noosa Hospital then on to Nambour. Hours later, surrounded by family, the lady is sitting up and chatting with her visitors. All is well.
Back at Main Beach Patrol 6 have finished for the day and the patrol goes through a debriefing and discuss every aspect of the rescue.
This is now standard procedure. It gives all members a chance to speak and ask questions but above all it gives them a way to improve in certain areas, no matter how small, if required.
But perhaps most of all for the rookie, who has just been through his or her first major rescue, it instills in them a self confidence that no amount of classroom activities can do.
No confusion and great team work. For the next couple of days the old clubbies will pat them on the back and tell them. ‘’Well done mate, you just saved a life.”