Mount Gambier lifesaver claims prestigious trophy

LIFE-SAVING REWARD: South Australian representative Jess Herring proudly displays the Iris Cribb trophy she claimed after being named women’s Over 30 to 44 overall champion at the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships in Sydney.

MOUNT Gambier swimmer Jess Herring has returned from the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships in Sydney with a major trophy.

The 35-year-old represented the South Australian state team as an individual masters competitor and was crowned Over 30 to 44 champion, taking home the Iris Cribb Trophy.

Held at the new $35m dollar aquatic facility at Pymble Ladies College, the event was run by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia

Herring said she competed in all programed events over the three days including additional open women challenges.

“Competing as an individual masters competitor I had such a fantastic time this year,” she said.

“I swam consistent times across the meet.

“I did not have an ideal lead up to the event with mid-year surgery to remove my gall bladder and repair my hernia.”

Herring said her recovery was not as quick as she had hoped.

“I felt as though I was not as strong as I have been previously, but am now feeling fantastic and am really looking forward to next year,” she said.

“I knocked a huge 12.88 seconds off my time for the 100m rescue medley.

“This heat involved swimming 50 metres freestyle, then turning at the wall and swimming another 17.5 metres underwater to retrieve the heavy manikin which is submerged at the bottom of the pool.

“You then have to bring the manikin to the surface and swim it back 32.5 metres of the end of the pool all without fins.

“Many do not complete it as you get disqualified for breathing.”

Herring said she was happy with her time along with the other events she competed in.

“I also participated in a line throw, 100m manikin carry with fins, 100m manikin tow with fins, 100m obstacle race and the 50m manikin carry,” she said.

“Through the open 100m manikin medley rescue and 200m superlifesaver events I also competed in a CPR competition which I really enjoyed.”

Herring said the competitors were given a fully computerised Laerdal competition manikin to demonstrate CPR.

“Every compression and breath is measured for depth, accuracy and litres of oxygen,” she said .

“It also measures of specific algorithm involving speed and rhythm.

“The computer automatically averages how effective you were at resuscitating the victim and this year I had near perfect results.”

Herring said she had a “slip up” with the verbal message which needed to be delivered.

“The timed CPR event involves five cycles of two breaths for 30 compressions, plus the delivered message and assessment of the patient,” she said.

“I have competed in the Australian championships on six previous occasions placing ninth in Australia in 2018 for the CPR competition and 10th this year.

“I look forward to trying to better my result in 2020.”

Apart from her overall champion honours, Herring placed first in both the 100m manikin tow and 100m obstacles with times of 1:26:85 and 1:33:98 respectively.

She also placed second in the 50m manikin carry with a time of 59:24.

Herring said a highlight for her was having her two children attend the championships each day.

“Eliza, (7 years old) and Tristan, (5) cheered me on and enjoyed taking photographs,” she said.

“I really hope they will become lifesavers in the future as it is a great skill to have.”

Herring is a member and coach of the Mount Gambier Royal Lifesaving Club, the Mount Gambier Swim Club and the Beachport Surf Life Saving Club, also taking on Nippers coordinator for 2019.

“To compete in the sport is a real thrill,” she said.

“Although, I enjoy giving my time to volunteer in the community, coaching the kids at Royal Life on Friday nights over summer, helping coach Mount Gambier Swim Club on Thursdays for most of the year and helping with organising Nippers or doing beach patrols at Beachport.

“I hope that if someone gets into trouble one day, I may be able to save their life”.

Herring said she looks forward to competing in the nationals again next year held in Perth.