Tributes for father-of-three David Isaacs who died while swimming at Ocean Beach
TRIBUTES have begun flowing for popular father-of-three David Isaacs who died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest while swimming at Ocean Beach yesterday.
Central Coast
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TRIBUTES have begun flowing for popular father-of-three David Isaacs who died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest while swimming at Ocean Beach yesterday.
The 45-year-old, of Woy Woy, was participating in a weekly social swim when he had a medical emergency before beach patrols began about 8.30am.
Surf Life Saving NSW said in a statement it was fortunate Ocean Beach SLSC club members were nearby preparing for their morning patrol when he was pulled unconscious from the water.
“As a result CPR treatment was able to commence within minutes,” the statement said.
“The State Operations Centre was also advised of the incident and alerted police and paramedics who were also tasked to the scene.”
Paramedics took over treatment and Mr Isaacs was transported to hospital but he was unable to be revived.
Ocean Beach director of lifesaving Katie Dixon said the lifesavers involved did a fantastic job under extremely difficult circumstances.
“This medical situation was an extremely challenging incident for our members who never gave up and reacted exactly the way their training prepared them to,” she said.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t the outcome we wanted but the paramedics and staff at the hospital also praised the efforts of the lifesavers involved and they can take pride in the fact that their professionalism and dedication meant he had at least a chance,” she said.
Mr Isaacs was a member of the Blue Swimmers winter swimming club at Ocean Beach and a life member and former president of The Entrance Water Polo Club, The Mighty Ducks.
Members of the water polo club are still reeling today, struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mr Isaacs was the club’s media manager and coach of its junior “flipper ball” program.
One member said he had lost weight recently and was the fittest he had ever seen him.
“It’s a tragedy, I’m sitting here and I don’t believe it’s real,” he said.
Meanwhile Ocean Beach SLSC members involved in Sunday’s resuscitation will participate in a critical incident debrief as part of the standard operating procedures.
Tributes have begun flowing on social media for Mr Isaacs, who is survived by his wife Kate Isaacs and three children.
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“I’m in total shock over the passing of Duck David Isaacs, great family man great swimmer and most of all a great mate,” Chris Fillingham posted on Facebook.
“My heart goes out to his family and to his mates. We will miss you Duck.”
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing with a report to be prepared for the coroner.