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A team of trained and skilled lifeguards and staff at Victoria University who banded together to successfully resuscitate a patron have been recognised with an Everyday Lifesaver Award for their quick-thinking actions which saved the man’s life.

Awarded by the Play It Safe By The Water committee to people who have used their lifesaving and water safety skills to perform a significant rescue, the Everyday Lifesaver award recognises outstanding bystander rescues undertaken in a safe manner that don’t put the rescuer at risk.

On 3rd April this year, Anish Sathyan, who had no history of medical conditions and no warning leading up to the incident, suffered a cardiac arrest while swimming laps at the Victoria University Aquatic and Fitness Centre.

The regular patron of the pool had only been in the pool a couple of minutes when the incident occurred.

When identified by the lifeguard, a major incident was called, and other staff quickly responded by clearing the area of other patrons and contacting emergency services. Anish was extracted from the pool, and a primary survey established that he was neither breathing nor responsive. The lifeguard and management team performed CPR until he started breathing again and emergency services arrived to transport him to hospital.

Rohenna Young, Manager, Sport Facilities at Victoria University said the team’s collaboration and efficiency was an integral part of avoiding a fatal drowning incident, stating “the team response was incredible, it really shows the importance of the whole team of lifeguards and staff, and what a difference working together makes in an emergency situation.

“The scenario involved lifeguards, centre managers, and other aquatic staff members, it was a team effort, and everyone did their part to ensure correct protocols were implemented effectively and efficiently to achieve a great outcome”.

Explaining that the response was a great example of best practise emergency response in an aquatic setting, Life Saving Victoria (LSV) Manager - Aquatic Industry Services, Alek Olszewski noted “this incident is the reason we train our lifeguards and prepare all aquatic staff for a range of potential emergency situations.

“Anish was fit, healthy, and had no symptoms prior to the incident. Incidents like this can occur at any given time.”

“The team at Victoria University have been a valued training partner with LSV for several years and we are delighted that their commitment to high quality staff training has contributed a positive outcome, under very challenging circumstances”.

Anish spent the days following the incident in the intensive care unit and is now on the road to recovering with hopes to dive back into the pool soon.

Images: Team members from the Victoria University Aquatic and Fitness Centre involved in the rescue of Anish Sathyan (top, from left): Taylah Daffy, Ian Pearce, Luke McCartney, Jeff Schwarz, Mimi Craig, Patrick Tam. Not shown but also awarded: Christian Petersen and Logan Paterson and the team with their awards with Anish Sathyan at centre (below, from left): Jeff Schwarz, Taylah Daffy, Luke McCartney, Anish Sathyan, Ian Pearce, Mimi Craig, Logan Paterson, and Patrick Tam. Not shown but also awarded: Christian Petersen).

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