They claimed the back-up \u201cghost code\u201d for the defibrillator also failed during the urgent rescue response. <\/p>\n
Hato Hone St John has been approached for comment in relation to the defibrillator claims. <\/p>\n
Beachgoers step in <\/p>\n
Kaip\u0101tiki Local Board member Emma Ryburn-Phengsavath said a Year 11 student, other beachgoers and a kite surfer helped pull the man out of the water. <\/p>\n
She told the Herald she saw a woman in a dress running towards the beach while she was at a nearby cafe just before midday yesterday. <\/p>\n
\u201cMere seconds later, I saw two other women sprinting down Gibbons Rd, whilst simultaneously two police cars tore down The Strand, quickly followed by two ambulance vehicles and a fire truck,\u201d Ryburn-Phengsavath said in a post. <\/p>\n
She then walked towards the beach alongside other beachgoers who were looking towards the sea. <\/p>\n
\u201cInitially, there were three young women at the beach who ran into the water and pulled the man out of the water, one of whom [the student] is a lifeguard from Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe used her skills, what she was trained to do, and I want to commend her for her bravery,\u201d Ryburn-Phengsavath said in the post. <\/p>\n
A man died at Takapuna Beach yesterday despite the best efforts of beachgoers and emergency crews. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray <\/p>\n
Ryburn-Phengsavath said the \u201cincredibly fast\u201d first responders took over and did everything they could. <\/p>\n
She said the teenager, visibly shaken, walked up the beach ramp towards her with tears in her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcomed her into a hug before we sat on the stone wall together. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe spoke quietly and I led her through a trauma release exercise (to help get her back into her parasympathetic system) to help calm her, and waited with her till her mother arrived.\u201d <\/p>\n
Defibrillator concerns <\/p>\n
Ryburn-Phengsavath said she saw emergency services rushing back and forth, and saw someone she understood to be a member of the public with a small handheld device. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as the AED is concerned, I thought, surely there should be one [a defibrillator] here somewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw a man with a really small handheld one coming down, and then another one tearing down,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
The ambulance had already arrived at that point and they had all the appropriate equipment with them. <\/p>\n
Ryburn-Phengsavath said emergency responders are incredible, selfless people who should be cared for more by the Government and society. <\/p>\n
Police said the man\u2019s death would be referred to the coroner.<\/p>\n
Hato Hone St John responded to the incident with one ambulance, one rapid response unit and two operations managers.<\/p>\n