Local heroes save teen from drowning at Hay pool over Christmas holidays

By Tertia Butcher

Two young boys, Jae Nisbet (8) and Nash Payne (11) and life guard, Kelly Rutledge-Robson have been hailed Hay’s true heroes when their quick action prevented a teen from drowning on New Year’s Day.

The incident occurred early afternoon at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool when the victim, known to bystanders only as Jack, suffered what is believed to be a “shallow water blackout” which is caused while holding breath underwater.

Jae and Nash found the body of the teenager at the bottom of the pool and immediately and calmly went to alert the visible lifeguard on duty, Kelly Rutledge-Robson.

Bystanders said the victim’s mum took a deep dive, bringing him to the surface.

Jae’s mother, Lee Nisbet and Jack’s mother dragged him to the edge of the pool and were assisted by Ms Rutledge-Robson dragging him onto the grass.

“Without Jae, Nash and Kelly, he would not have survived,” Ms Nisbet said.

“Jae and Nash remained calm and acted swiftly, alerting Kelly.

“She had been supervising a non-competent swimmer at the time and immediately rushed over to render CPR.

“Kelly did the the compressions and Jack’s mum the rescue breaths.

“She worked tirelessly while I assisted to lateral roll the patient to help clear his airway of vomitus, and offered to give the ladies a break.”

When directed by Kelly, Lee said she left the scene of CPR to ensure the ambulance had been called.

“Kelly did an amazing job,” Lee stresses. “She had been vigilant for the almost hour-and-a-half I had been at the pool before the incident, guarding all three pools by herself.

“My family and I were watching Jack for some time, competing with his mum going under water.”

Bystanders believe Jack and his family are from Kiama on the South Coast and stopped at the pool for a break during their trip.

In a statement released by Hay Shire Council, General Manager David Webb said the rescue and resuscitation were performed at the pool, before the boy was subsequently taken via ambulance to Hay Hospital and then airlifted to Melbourne.

“At this stage the extent of injuries suffered are not fully known,” Mr Webb said.

“While the pool has now been reopened to the public, investigations and counselling of staff are ongoing.

“Early investigations indicate that it appears the child may have suffered a “shallow water blackout” as a result of holding breath underwater.”

The term ‘Shallow Water Blackout’ is commonly used to describe a loss of consciousness under water caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain following breath-holding.

The most common cause is voluntary hyperventilation before submerging.

If the swimmer “blows off” too much carbon dioxide before submerging, it will take longer for the carbon dioxide sensor to force the breakpoint.

This prolonged period may not occur before the oxygen sensor comes into play and the person may lose consciousness underwater.

Royal Life Saving condemns the practice of hyperventilation before participating in prolonged underwater swimming.