Pāpāmoa Surf Lifeguards In Action

Pāpāmoa Regional Surf Lifeguard Mitch Cowdrey stresses the importance of learning how to do CPR and knowing where your nearest AED defibrillation unit is located.

Long standing Pāpāmoa surf lifeguard Mitch Cowdrey says saving the life of a 70-year-old local surfer was a real community effort.

“It was the other surfers there, the off-duty firefighters and members of the public knowing to start CPR immediately that saved his life,” says Mitch.

The man had been out surfing but collapsed when he got back to the car park. Without the speed of response from the members of the public and the surf lifeguards, he would not have survived the heart attack.

Having been kept alive by the surf lifeguards and then the paramedics, he was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

Mitch has been a Regional Surf Lifeguard for eight years and has not been involved in a resuscitation like this before, but he knew exactly what to do, took control of the situation and ran the scene until the paramedics arrived.

“It feels great to be part of this community that I grew up in, knowing we have the skills and experience in our team to save a life,” says Mitch. “The public need to know that they can rely on us in a crisis situation.”

This event highlights the massive importance of the regular training, upskilling and drills that our surf lifeguards do on a weekly basis. Every Wednesday morning before patrol, our Regional Surf Lifeguards get together with the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service and Omanu Surf Life Saving Club in competition for the Frank Peir Cup. The Frank Peir Cup has a long-standing tradition of putting professional surf lifeguards to the test and the Pāpāmoa team has just won the cup for the sixth year in a row.

“Each week we do a series of challenges including mock rescues on Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) and boards, as well as tube rescues,” says Mitch. “We also make sure we know our equipment inside out by doing exercises like unpacking the trauma packs and putting them back together within a certain time. This was critical in the real-life situation that took place last week.” 

Mitch says the team would like to thank the public for all the support they give to the club. Much of the equipment they use is bought using donations, including a defibrillator unit located on the side of the Surf Life Saving Club building.

“A member of the public knew the unit was there and they grabbed it and brought it over to us,” he says. “Although we didn’t end up using that one, it’s reassuring that people know it’s there.”

Also at the scene was Pāpāmoa Regional Surf Lifeguard of 17 years Nathan Smith, who said this highlighted the importance of the 10 Surf Safety Rules, one of them being ‘never surf alone’.

“The man was one of the founders of the Pāpāmoa Board Riders Club who all look out for each other,” says Nathan. “It was the friend he was with who started CPR.”

Both Mitch and Nathan want to highlight the Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s tagline “In It For Life”. They have both been part of the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club community most of their lives, starting at Junior Surf, through to Oceans, Rookies and into Lifeguarding.

“We feel fortunate to be able to look after our community,” says Mitch. “We’ve got to know many of the surfers and regulars on the beach and it’s a good feeling to be able to give back in such a positive way.”

There were two other Pāpāmoa Regional Surf Lifeguard’s in the response team - Angus Porter and Liam Davoren who have both been Regional Surf Lifeguards for five years, as well as off-duty volunteer surf lifeguard Karoline Jonsson who was passing by.

“With the two off-duty firefighters, the local police officer, and surf lifeguards being available to respond so quickly - we were all part of saving the man’s life,” says Mitch.

Image above: The four Pāpāmoa Regional Surf Lifeguard’s who helped saved a surfer’s life after he collapsed close to the surf club. From left: Liam Davoren, Angus Porter, Nathan smith and Mitch Cowdrey. 

Images below: AED defibrillation units are accessible by the public at various locations throughout the community, including this one at the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club. It is visible from the road as you drive up to the surf club, located at the Mount/Northern end at ground level next to the garages. These units are designed to be operated by people with no first aid knowledge, and members of the public can dial 111 to get an access code.