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.

Gold Coast February 2014 part 5

Swimming Pool Fun.

The weather was quite hot, so the pool got used pretty much every day, especially after school and usually an after dark swim before bed.

Hannah and Granddad had heaps of fun, usually Hannah climbing up on Granddads shoulders.

Gold Coast February 2014 part 4

Grandma and Emma

Gold Coast February 2014 part 3

Finally Grandma and Granddad arrived.

Carrara Markets

One of the days before Grandma and Granddad arrived, the girls and I visited Carrara Markets, it is huge.  One of the highlights was the Reptile Kingdom, all three girls wanted to have a family photo with lizards and a crocodile.

Gold Coast February 2014 part 2

Hannah and I were going to have a day just to ourselves, Hannah is a 'scary' rides type of girl, so we decided that we would have a day at Movie World, going on as many 'scary' rides together as possible.  The main rides that Hannah wanted to go on she was still a tad too short for, however we still managed to go on quite a few good ones, some we went on a few times.  I try and have some special one on one time with the girls when I'm down visiting, meaning no sharing Daddy for the day with anyone else.  Both Hannah and I had an awesome day out.

Gold Coast February 2014

Earlier this year we managed to organize a holiday house not far from where the girls live and go to school.  It was a great place, plenty of space, enough rooms for everyone, and best of all a beautiful pool.  We needed a big roomy home this time, as Grandma and Granddad were visiting as well.  To make this holiday extra special for me, was between Suzy (mummy) Emma and I, we would have some trial runs with Emma having sleepovers whilst I was in town, Emma had decided that she was a big girl now, and didn't want to miss out on any fun.  Kaitlyn, Hannah, Emma and I got to settle into the home a few days before Grandma and Granddad arrived.