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Nick of time
By LCDR Mick Gallagher

Volume 50, No.2, February 22, 2007
 
LIFE SAVER: Petty Officer Nick Farinola, who provided first aid for two members of the public in the space of two weeks.
Photo: ABPH David McMahon
A Petty Officer Boatswain from Fleet Headquarters has brought credit to the RAN by coming to the aid of two civilians on two separate occasions, in the space of two weeks.

PO Nick Farinola, a Sea Change Implementation Coordinator, was twice called upon to apply the first aid skills he learned in the Navy.

“Whilst on the way home I stopped at the Mosman Junction Post Office where I noticed an elderly woman fall onto the road as she stepped from the kerb,” PO Farinola told Navy News.

Dressed in his naval uniform, PO Farinola quickly came to her rescue and moved her off the busy road, out of the sun, and into a nearby dress shop.

The 86-year-old woman, who came from a nearby retirement village, had several injuries including a damaged knee. She was bleeding and had gone into shock.

“I controlled the bleeding, called an ambulance and calmed her down with some light humour,” he said.

PO Farinola stayed with the woman until the paramedics arrived and she was then rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital.

Twelve days later, and again in naval uniform, his first aid skills again came into play, when he assisted with the resuscitation of a man at the Mary MacKillop Chapel at North Sydney.

“I was attending the Sunday Australia Day weekend service when an 83-year-old man by the name of John collapsed,” he said.

PO Farinola joined another person in assisting John.

When they approached they found that his heart and breathing had stopped.

PO Farinola cleared the pews and made enough floor space to commence resuscitation.

“We got him breathing and a pulse again after a short time, which seemed like an eternity,” he said.

“I thank the Navy for all the ongoing training and providing me with the spirit of camaraderie.”