Riding The Waves | A Bondi Rescue fanfiction

Chapter 16

Jasmine was sitting in the tower, watching the water alongside Kerrbox and Jake. There were very few rescues going on, so the boys chatted among themselves. Eventually, they started talking about the weather and Jasmine felt brave enough to join in.

"The wind looks like it has just changed. I think it is blowing Easterly now," Jasmine offered quietly. Both of the boys instantly checked the weather again. They both groaned.

Jasmine shrank back slightly, worried that she had upset them by saying something wrong. She became even more confused when the other boys in the tower started radioing the lifeguards on the beach to repeat what she had said. An air of resignation and anticipation filled the air.

Kerrbox noticed her confusion and explained. "The winds have indeed turned Easterly. That means that all the bluebottles will be attacking soon. Just you wait, in half an hour, the whole tower will be filled with people crying over them."

He smiled at the young girl as recognition lit her eyes. "You will probably need a second lifeguard to come help at some stage, but I reckon you can handle some of the patients on your own," he told her. "Have you been taught what to do?"

He helped her get out the ice and the spray and she situated herself next to the door. Satisfied that she could handle the situation on her own, Kerrbox returned to watching the water, telling her that they were happy to help her if she needed a second person. He wasn't sure that she could handle many people on her own, but he wanted to see when she would ask for help.

***

Minutes after Kerrbox left, the first patient knocked on the door. Or rather, his mum did. The young boy was clutching his mum's leg, sobbing and whimpering in pain. Jasmine felt her heart breaking as she knelt down next to him.

"Hey there. What's your name? I'm Jasmine." she asked softly, leading the child and his mum into the tower.

"J-j-Jacob," he stammered.

"That's a really cool name. Can you tell me where it hurts, Jacob?" She could already see a tentacle sticking to his leg and more thin lines across his knees, but she needed him to tell her if he had been stung anywhere else.

He said that it was just his knee. Examining it, Jasmine was sure that it was only bluebottles, so she picked up the spray and followed Kerrbox's instructions, comforting the young boy all the while.

Jasmine was young and charismatic, so the boy very quickly began smiling again. He stayed in the tower for a few more minutes before the family left again. But not before the father had pulled Jasmine aside to thank her.

"He was very upset when we came in and I was really worried about him. I was a little unsure when I saw how young you were, but you handled that splendidly. Your bedside manner was perfect too. I don't think I have ever felt so reassured in the attitudes of young people."

Jacob smiled at her as they returned, before giving her a massive bear hug and thanking her for helping him out. He left the tower much happier than he had been before and Jasmine was left feeling reassured with her abilities.

Kerrbox was also satisfied that she knew what she was doing. He had been keeping a close eye on her while she treated the young boy, waiting to see if she would need a hand. But he was now satisfied that she could handle most patients on her own. He went back to watching the water.

Over the next half an hour, the tower was chaos. People were filling the tower with bluebottle stings and there was much crying and panicking. But Jasmine was organised. She managed to set up a triage system so that everyone would be treated quickly. She darted between people, helping them out, comforting them, explaining what was happening. She seemed to be everywhere at once, helping multiple people at the same time.