Off duty lifeguard to the rescue

VICTIM: Riversdale Beach Camp Anderson custodian Paddy Janes, who died in a motorcycle crash near Riversdale Beach.

A dramatic incident at Riversdale has won a regional surf lifesaving award after an off-duty lifeguard responded to a fatal road accident.

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.

Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club has won the Central Region Rescue of the Month award for the winter.

On July 20, off-duty lifeguard Jane Tiley was called to assist with a road accident and upon arriving on scene she discovered a car and a motorbike had collided. The motorcyclist, Riversdale Beach resident Paddy Janes, had been killed.

The elderly driver of the car was trapped in her vehicle, which was in a ditch.

She needed attention for chest pain and Jane also had concerns about the woman's neck.

Jane had to climb in through the back window of the car to get access to her. In this position, she was able to give and maintain neck support.

A helicopter and ambulance were called and Jane directed the local volunteer fire service to set up a helicopter landing site. She utilised members of the public to help stop traffic and make the scene safe.

The patient said her pain levels were very high. She had a number of allergies and also suffered from asthma.

Jane didn't give her any pain medication out of concern that it might interfere with her medication.

She administered oxygen and monitored her vital signs until paramedics arrived.

When firefighters arrived, they cut the roof off the car and stabilised the injured woman, who was flown to hospital by helicopter.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand's communications specialist Lisa Honeybone said Jane displayed a vast array of skills from assessing the scene and organising the helicopter landing zone to explaining to non-trained personnel the equipment she needed to assist, all while monitoring and treating the patient in an awkward position.

"She showed great leadership working with untrained personnel and giving ambulance staff a good patient evaluation and handover when they arrived on scene."

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chairman Geoff Hamilton said the extraordinary efforts shown by Jane were outstanding.

"Admiration of the skill and professionalism displayed by her in the incident is testament to qualities valued by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and BP."