The National Sea Rescue Institute has commended members of the public in Plettenberg Bay who rushed to the aid of a Dutch tourist who suffered a suspected heart attack in the Robberg Nature Reserve.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said that the 50-year-old woman had been hiking and swimming at West Beach at Robberg Island with her husband on Friday when she went into cardiac arrest.
He said members of the public rushed to her assistance and provided First Aid treatment while alerting authorities, who rushed to the scene.
"During medical treatment on the beach, the 50-year-old female went into cardiac arrest twice. On both occasions extensive CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts and heart defibrillation using an AED restored her heartbeat and restored spontaneous breathing," Lambinon said.
"The NSRI doctor and NSRI medics continued with extensive medical treatment in an effort to stabilise the patient. They were joined by EMS/AMS paramedics on the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter that arrived on the scene."
"Following extensive efforts the female was stabilised and airlifted to a hospital in George by EMS/AMS Skymed in a serious but stable condition. During the night, following further stabilisation by hospital staff, she was transferred to a hospital in Mossel Bay and remains in ICU in a serious but stable condition," he said.
Lambinon said that "the massive public support on the scene is commended."
(Pic:NSRI)
