Recognised for saving neighbour

Booker Bay resident Mr Graham Tangye has been officially recognised by local and state surf life saving organisations for saving a neighbour's life by using the resuscitation skills he had learnt over his 40 years as a surf club member.

The Ocean Beach Life Saving Club member was awarded the Rescue of the Month by Surf Life Saving Central Coast as well as from Surf Life Saving NSW for his life saving actions on December 27.

"After 40 years as a life saving club member and not having performed resuscitation on anyone throughout that time, I never thought I would see the day when this skill would be life changing," Mr Tangye said.

"What we learn every year through our updated resuscitation exams at the club and actually putting it all into practice in a real life situation is very different."

After getting back from a morning swim on December 27, Mr Tangye heard a panicked knock on the door and immediately knew something was wrong.

Mr Tangye's townhouse neighbour soon informed him that their mutual next-door neighbour had collapsed in the middle of a Christmas lunch and was not breathing.

"With no hesitation I ran up to the other townhouse and began to assist.

"No one else in the room knew CPR so it was up to me to take charge of the situation.

"While the ambulance was called, I soon recognised that she was not breathing and had no pulse.

"Despite no signs of life, I continued to perform resuscitation until the ambulance arrived."

Mr Tangye said once paramedics took over and began oxygen and attempted to start his neighbour's heart with a defibrillator "things didn't look good".

"Ten minutes after paramedics had arrived and there was no response we all thought the worst.

"But after the second defibrillator shock there was a slight pulse which was such a relief."

Mr Tangye's neighbour was taken to Gosford Hospital where she was on life support for two days and later transferred to Royal North Shore to receive a pacemaker.

"I am so grateful and relieved she pulled through," Mr Tangye said.

"It puts a smile on my face when I look out my window now and can see my neighbour having a cup of tea ... she is my new best friend.

"It just goes to show how important CPR is for everybody to learn and how critical the first few minutes are when someone is not breathing and has no pulse."

Mr Tangye encouraged all residents, young and old, to undertake some form of resuscitation training.

"You just never know when you have to use it," Mr Tangye said.

"Things might have turned out very differently if no one involved in the situation knew CPR."

As part of his award recognition, Mr Tangye has won a pair of waterproof binoculars for the local club and a $400 credit at the Surf Life Saving Association surf shop.

He has also secured the club to be in the running for Surf Life Saving NSW Rescue of the Year to be announced at this year's Awards of Excellence.

"We are very proud of Graham and his citation," Ocean Beach Surf Life Saver Club president Mr Scott Hannell said.

"Graham has been involved in surf life saving for a long time and the skills he has learnt over the years has saved a life.

"I believe that no matter how young or old that a person is, learning CPR is a life skill that everyone should have."

For more about resuscitation courses on the Peninsula, contact Umina or Ocean Beach surf clubs or the Peninsula division of St John's Ambulance Service.

Clare Graham, 18 Feb 2010 Interviewee: Graham Tangye, Umina Email, 1 Feb 2010 Scott Hannell, Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club