Careful Observation and Quick Thinking at Splash Planet

At first glance a seven-year-old girl looked as if she was simply floating on her back at Splash Planet yesterday but close observation by a lifeguard and a member of the public revealed she was in serious difficulty.

The member of the public bought her to the edge as the lifeguard ran to assist. The girl was breathing but unconscious when removed from the water but stopped breathing when put in the recovery position.

A nurse, who happened to be at the park, gave the girl rescue breaths and she was conscious and lucid by the time the ambulance arrived.

The girl, whose family were at the park the time of the incident, was admitted to hospital for observation but was discharged last night.

It is possible the girl may have got into difficulty as the result of a medical condition.

Hastings District Council chief executive, Ross McLeod, says he’s thankful the girl is okay and is extremely grateful for the team effort of the public and staff which saved the girl’s life.

“As a parent it’s scary to think how easily something like this can happen, however this incident reinforces the importance of the water safety message.”

“The staff did exactly what they had to do, that and the efforts of two members of the public are to be commended.”

Splash Planet is a Pool Safe pool and all lifeguards have the National Pool Lifeguard Award and First Aid certification. Splash Planet has an oxygen pack on site and recently purchased a defibrillator but it was not necessary to use it yesterday.