Surprise Award

This past week I was in Mount Isa for the week, doing all the usual re-qualifications, it's a good week as it's a chance to get off the island for a few days.  Anyway, we had finished everything just after lunch on Thursday.  I happened to be completing paperwork upstairs, when I was told the Superintendent (my district boss), wanted to see me, I was trying to think what I was in trouble for this time.  Anyway, he comes out with a framed certificate.

It reads

DISTRICT OFFICER'S

CERTIFICATE

This certificate is awarded to 

Senior Constable Darren Yates

4026439

For displaying exceptional dedication to duty and professional conduct in

performing CPR on a female person who had attempted to commit suicide on 14

June 2014 on Mornington Island.

I won't go into too many details regarding this job, I will say it wasn't very pleasant.

I was a little shocked, and probably more embarrassed than anything, however at the same time feeling pretty happy with myself, it's a good feeling to get some recognition for the extremely trying job we have as Police Officers.

My partner and I responded to a call regarding a female who was threatening to hang herself, on arrival we found out that she had done just that.  Things were not looking good.  After cutting the rope, there was no breathing and no pulse, CPR immediately started by myself, my partner was calling paramedics.

By the time the paramedic arrived, we had a faint pulse back, eventually after about 20 minutes of work on her she was conveyed to hospital, it was later confirmed that her heart had stopped, she could not breath on her own, so she was flown out by RFDS (Flying Doctor) later that night, diagnosis was she was basically a breathing organ donor.

She has now returned to the Island, she does have some minor brain damage, and has some trouble walking unaided.

This just goes to show how important it is to keep up with basic first aid, I have seen the benefits of it on a number of occasions.