OFF DUTY MANLY LIFESAVERS TURN UP AT THE RIGHT TIME

March 2: Surf lifesavers from Manly Life Saving Club, several who had just returned from the club's victorious NSW State Surf Life Saving Championship campaign at Blacksmith's Beach, Swansea Belmont, were called into action on Sunday night for a real life drama after a Danish tourist "drowned" while snorkeling near rocks at the southern end of the beach.

At approximately 6.45pm, two local surfers noticed the man floating face down. When they rolled the man over, they noticed he was blue in colour and frothing from the mouth. The surfers immediately brought the man in to the beach.

A number of Manly LSC members had arrived at the club for a presentation following the club's successful defence of the NSW State Championship pointscore.

The club members responded immediately when they noticed the surfers bringing the patient to the beach - some literally running from their cars after a two-hour drive from Newcastle.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was commenced and continued for 10 minutes until an ambulance arrived.

The patient was transported to Manly hospital where he remains in intensive care. He is believed to be a 24-year old tourist from Denmark on his first day swimming in Australia.

Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Director of Rescue Services, Steve Faddy, praised the efforts of all involved.

"The surfers who found the man and brought him into the beach so quickly were instrumental in achieving a good outcome for the patient", he said.

 "The lifesavers responded quickly with the necessary equipment and skills to administer resuscitation, giving the patient a much better chance of survival."

However, Mr Faddy also said that the incident once again highlighted the dangers of swimming alone and swimming at unpatrolled beaches.

"Had the patient been a little further around the point he may not have been seen by the surfers who performed the initial rescue. That would have almost certainly guaranteed a bad outcome for the patient".