Long-time Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club member Bob Collins owes his life to fellow members of the club and good friends after he suffered a heart attack on Saturday.
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Mr Collins completed the 1.2km Tony Ryan Memorial Swim at Lady Bay but half an hour later felt slight pressure in his left pectoral muscle.
He stayed around for the race presentations and felt dizzy as he walked to his car.
It wasn’t long before he became unaware of what was happening around him.
“I blacked out,” he said.
Donna Lumb – an AquaZone lifeguard – and Peter Varley noticed Mr Collins coughing while he was sitting on the hill near McGennans car park.
Ms Lumb yelled for help while Mr Varley went to get a defibrillator from the Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club.
“Everybody jumped into action immediately,” Ms Lumb said.
It wasn’t long before South West Healthcare nurse Katrina Lamb started performing CPR with a team including Ms Lumb.
Mrs Lamb is a great friend of Mr Collins and was aware he had a history of heart problems.
Mrs Lamb said it took three or four rotations of CPR before Mr Collins started to respond to stimuli.
By the time the ambulance arrived he was quite responsive.
“It was a great result from early intervention,” she said.
While a team performed CPR, others called 000 and some provided shade or helped to ensure clear access for an ambulance.
Mr Collins was flown to Geelong where he is recovering in hospital.
He said he was thankful to all the people who had assisted him.
“I’m absolutely blown away,” he said.
He also gave a special mention to those who performed CPR.
Mr Collins said he was back on his feet and walking around.
He also has a good sense of humour.
“They’re going to kick me out in a couple of days,” he said.
Mr Collins is based at Allansford but also lived at Warrnambool for many years.
He has been a member of the Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club for more than 25 years. It was Mrs Lamb’s first time performing CPR outside a hospital and she urged people to undertake first aid training.
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