On 15th March 2019 at approximately 08.00am, Peel Aquatic Club swimmer Megan Larmour, and RLSS Lifesaving Award holder, was having breakfast at a café in Mandurah, Western Australia, when she was alerted to an emergency unfolding nearby.
A man had suffered a heart attack in the shopping centre car park and collapsed. A staff member from a nearby business noticed the unconscious victim, phoned emergency services, then ran to the café and asked if anyone knew first aid.
Trained in first aid due to her job as a lifeguard, Megan immediately ran to the car park where she took the phone to talk to emergency services. She checked the man's condition and could not detect a pulse, or any breathing so began performing CPR on the victim. The staff member returned with a defibrillator and Megan cut the man’s clothing and applied the defibrillator, shocking him twice while continuing to perform compressions with the help of another bystander, until the emergency services arrived.
The man was taken to hospital where he was revived and placed into an induced coma. Sadly after 48 hours he was declared brain dead and his family made the decision to turn off his life support. However, the prompt application of CPR and the AED meant his family was able to say goodbye, and also ensured that his organs remained viable so his family was able to donate them to save the lives of others.
At just 16 years old, Megan responded with great courage in a very difficult situation. She took the lead in attempting to save the man’s life and displayed quick thinking and admirable persistence.
Megan received the Gold Medallion Bravery Award in 2019 and has now been awarded Royal Life Saving's prestigious Commonwealth Russell Medal for 2019.
Peel Aquatic Club are very proud of Megan. Megan now coaches at Peel Aquatic as well as continuing with her swimming journey.
Read more about what happened here
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