Ōpunakē Beach head lifeguard in two Christmas Day rescue emergencies

Ōpunakē’s head lifeguard played a pivotal role in two separate life-and-death emergencies within minutes of each other on Christmas Day, first helping to rescue a surfer from dangerous conditions and then helping resuscitate a person in cardiac arrest.

Ōpunakē Surf Life Saving Club’s head guard, Joe Edwards, was on duty when he spotted a surfer struggling in a tail-race rip.

Edwards immediately raised the alarm and directed patrol lifeguards Charlie Rankin and Mahlee Campbell to launch an inflatable rescue boat.

The pair battled two-metre surf to reach the surfer and safely returned him to shore.

Edwards then assessed the surfer and provided surf safety advice before he rejoined his family.

Less than 10 minutes later, Edwards was alerted through the GoodSAM app to a medical emergency on Fox St, near the beach.

He quickly teamed up with off-duty lifeguard Michael DeBique, who was at the beach with family. The pair collected resuscitation equipment and the club’s automated external defibrillator (AED) and responded.

The lifeguards delivered compressions, ventilations, and three defibrillation shocks until care was handed over to Fire and Emergency and St John.

The patient was successfully resuscitated and later airlifted to hospital.

The club said the incidents highlighted the “adaptability, readiness and professionalism” of its lifeguards, as well as the commitment of off-duty members to respond when needed.