There comes a moment in a lifeguard’s career where, for the first time, you have to save someone’s life. However, not many expect that it’s going to be within a handful of months of qualifying, nor that it will be one of your fellow lifeguards during the middle of a competition.
This was the situation that Big Bay lifeguard David Jansen found himself in this last weekend at the Western Cape Lifesaving Championships.
During the board event, one of the lifeguard competitors received a heavy blow to his sternum while trying to navigate through a very large surf.
Unfortunately, he lost his board in the process and found himself in pain and isolated while trying to remain afloat and struggling to breathe. Jansen immediately identified that his fellow competitor was in trouble and stopped his race to go assist while signalling to the beach for assistance.
In a perfectly trained board-style rescue the two of them saddled the craft and caught a wave back to shore where they were assisted by several other Big Bay teammates (and other clubs), who carried him back onto the beach for further assessment and medical care.
“We can gladly report that the patient was able to reunite with David later on to offer his personal gratitude,” the club says. “We want to acknowledge David’s astute awareness and selflessness that prevented a more tragic outcome, and ensuring that we are always there first and foremost to serve those in need, especially if its one of our fellow brothers and sister lifeguards. Well done, Dave!” the club says.
