Diver recognised for saving friend in near-death experience off NSW coast

A CRANBOURNE freediver feared the worst when he found his friend lying motionless 12m underwater. But it was what the brave man did next that saved his best friend’s life.

EXPERIENCED freediver Robert Manning, 67, feared the worst when he found his friend lying motionless 12m underwater.

The Cranbourne man and his diving partner Nathan Watson, 30, were scouting spots for an upcoming spearfishing competition near Eden in NSW when the young man suffered a shallow water blackout.

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“He was laying on his back, unconscious,” Mr Manning said.

“I rushed for the surface, took two or three quick breaths, then I dived back down. That’s when I knew we were in very, very deep trouble.”

The older diver quickly removed Mr Watson’s weight belt and got him to the surface, where he began 45 minutes of CPR.
“His eyes were wide open, staring into the sun with little waves breaking over his face,” Mr Manning said.

Bob Manning, 67 and Nathan Watson, 30, were diving off Leonards Island in NSW when Mr Watson lost consciousness 12m underwater. Picture: Jason Edwards

“He was gone. We had lost him. To me, he was dead.”

But nothing would stop Mr Manning from doing everything he could to save his young friend.

“There was no way in the world I was ever giving up,” he said.

“I had to keep going until someone took over for me. If that was going to take the next three days … I would have had to keep going.”

After struggling to get him back to the boat Mr Manning called emergency services to their isolated location off Leonards Island.

Police arrived quickly and rushed Mr Watson to a Canberra hospital where he was placed in a coma.

Despite fears of serious brain damage, Mr Watson made a full recovery and was he was back at work within three weeks.

“That was nearly four years ago and three days is the longest it goes without hearing from him,” Mr Manning said.

“He’s like my son.”

Mr Manning completed a St John’s Ambulance first aid course six days before the near-death experience,

He believes the outcome could have been very different had that knowledge not been so fresh

For his valiant efforts, Mr Manning today received a commendation for brave conduct in the Australian Bravery Decorations.

“These awards helped to define, encourage and reinforce out national aspirations and ideals by identifying role models,” Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove said.

“On behalf of all Australians, I thank them for their bravery.

“They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them.”

The Governor-General awarded 62 bravery awards including one Star of Courage and three Group Bravery Citations.

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@tamsinroses