Rescue recognised

Heidi Warren, Hastings, a surf lifesaver, one of the people who rescued a man who fell off West Quay, Napier, Photograph by Duncan Brown.

Waimarama lifeguard Heidi Warren demonstrated the confidence she has gained from her lifeguard training when she averted tragedy at a Napier nightspot.

Each month, Surf Life Saving New Zealand selects a winning rescue from each region as well as an overall national winner for the title of BP Rescue of the Month.

Heidi's actions on April 10 have won the club the Central Region award.

She came to the aid of a man who fell from a nearby wharf, striking his head on a boat, before hitting the water. He was floating face down and bleeding from his head.

Heidi raced over to help a member of the public who was holding his head above the water.

She checked his pulse and found he wasn't breathing and, with the help of others, they removed the man from the water to the back of a boat.

She did a series of compressions to remove the water from his lungs and then shifted him into the recovery position where he began breathing on his own.

Emergency services arrived on scene and took the man to hospital in a critical condition where he recovered.

Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club receives a $100 Gift Card from BP to help with the financial costs of keeping communities safe in the water.

BP NZ Managing Director Matt Elliott said the quick thinking and response from Heidi was outstanding.

"Since 1968 we have been proud to stand behind this amazing organisation that can make the difference between life and death," Mr Elliot said.