Insight: June 14

This week, Insight hears from first responders at emergencies, hearing how they felt, why they acted and the responsibility of being first on the scene.

What’s it like being first on the scene of an emergency? How do we react to being thrown into a situation way outside our comfort zone?

Whether we’re trained emergency workers or just out surfing with a mate, there are varied responses to being first on the scene. Some react without thinking, driven by a base instinct to jump in and help without concern for getting hurt. Others freeze to take stock of the situation, consider the potential dangers and weigh up the risks and benefits before diving in. Some remain aloof, or flee altogether.

What would you do if a colleague or fellow student suddenly fired bullets around the room, killing and injuring many? You’re near the door, a clean escape is simple, you could just follow your classmates to safety. Or do you push forward and try to stop the gunman in his tracks? This is the situation Alastair Boast found himself in.

In March, Joel Trist was out surfing when his nearby friend was attacked by a shark. Joel’s instinct to save him kicked in immediately. The potential for the shark to attack again only crossed Joel’s mind as he paddled Brett to shore.

Responding to emergencies is part of Peter Davidson’s job. But his fortitude was truly tested during the infamous 1998 Sydney-Hobart yacht race as he was pushed to his limits, and managed to save eight sailors in one treacherous hour.

Guests include:
Joel Trist, Surfer
“All of a sudden I heard this terrible scream … from the amount of splashing I thought, well, this is happening … He’s getting attacked by a shark.”

Agie Krowka, Off-duty ICU nurse
“It’s fifty times harder when it’s someone that you actually know.”

Alastair Boast, Former Monash University student
“As I turned I saw a student in the back corner of the room, and he was the only one standing. And he was sort of looking down at something, and in that moment, I stood up and charged.”

Brett Inder, Professor, Monash University
“Bravery expresses itself in lots of different ways.”

Mark Kempton, Helicopter pilot
“And that is one of the most difficult things to deal with in our industry: that you can’t save everybody.”

Peter Davidson, Rescue paramedic
“I just thought it was absolutely impossible. I didn’t think I could rescue anybody, and I just thought they were going to perish.”

Lydia Johns-Putra, Urologist
“It was apparent that the only way to remove this man was to amputate both his legs.”

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