Stephen Limebeer has a unique knack of being in the right place at the right time.
For some people he is their guardian angel with the Caringbah resident himself estimating he’s helped save five people in five years.
In 2011 he rescued a p-plate driver who had turned under the rear wheels of a semi-trailer in Mascot. Soon after he was recognised after treating a man who fell to the ground over busy tramlines in Melbourne.
He helped a man who choked on a piece a fruit in a Sydney CBD gym and even last week helped a woman who fell on the road at Caringbah.
On Monday, he will be recognised with a certificate of commendation in the The Royal Life Saving NSW Awards.
He received the award for helping an elderly woman who had fallen heavily on a busy road in Miranda in May last year.
Mr Limebeer had been having a coffee at Parkside Plaza on May 2 when a woman came screaming into the centre.
He went out to see what happened and saw a woman laying face down on the road.
She had sustained serious injuries but was still conscious.
He phoned triple-0 before stopping her bleeding and ensuring her neck and back were supported.
He made splints out of towels which had been provided by Coles employees.
‘’My instinct was to jump in to help,’’ he said.
‘’The nature of where it was meant there were cars driving around so I knew I had to protect her.’’
The woman later died in hospital but not before calling to thank Mr Limebeer.
‘’It was a fantastic but emotional moment,’’ he said.
‘’It was completely out of the blue but it’s something I will keep with me forever.
‘’I’m glad I was able to speak with her before she passed away. It was extremely sad news.’’
He said his reactions came from his career with NSW Police and later in private security roles.
‘’With the background and training I’ve had it enables you to take control of the situation,’’ he said.
‘’You know what needs to be done and the issues you have to look for.’’
He is hoping to use his award to raise awareness of first aid which he thinks should be mandatory.
‘’I’ve seen a couple of incidents where people who have been on the scene don’t have first aid experience and there’s a feeling of helplessness,’’ he said.
‘’For me, I would love to see first aid certificates be a part of getting your drivers licence.
‘’It’s amazing the amount of times you need first aid, I can’t stress the importance enough.
‘’It just gives you that bit of knowledge that might keep a person alive.’’
NSW Police Chief Inspector recognised
NSW Police Chief Inspector Darren Smith has also been recognised in the The Royal Life Saving NSW Awards.
The former Miranda policeman was on patrol in Cronulla about 7.30pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013, when he was flagged down by members of the public.
An elderly woman had been eating dinner at Sea Level when she suddenly collapsed to the floor.
The woman was not breathing, did not have a pulse and was unresponsive.
Inspector Brown immediately responded clearing the area and beginning CPR.
He stayed with her until paramedics arrived and took her to Sutherland Hospital.
For his actions he was recognised with a NSW Police Award.
Inspector Brown said he welcomed the honor.
‘’I was a bit surprised, you don’t expect these things especially after so many years,’’ he said.
‘’It is always nice being recognised.’’