Workplace First Aid Training managing director Phil Hudson presented Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) with buckets of first-aid CPR masks this week.
Half of the 2000 masks would go to Otago, and other half would be sent up to Canterbury.
It was all about protecting the first responder, he said.
There was an inherent risk to first responders when performing actions such as mouth-to-mouth, since direct contact was needed.
He hoped nobody would actually ever have to use them.
“But if they do – and this is worst-case scenario – they are able to protect themselves by having access to these.”
Mr Hudson worked for SLSNZ in the past and had learned invaluable skills while there.
“I was able to transfer a lot of those skills over to what I do now, with first-aid training.”
Due to the wetness of a lifeguard’s work, he had made sure the masks and pouches they came in were waterproof and rust-proof.
SLSNZ national health and safety adviser Scott Weatherall, of Dunedin, said there were 5000 lifeguards throughout the country and they needed protection too while out keeping everyone safe.
When emergencies happened, most people took a step back, but first responders were often stepping forward even when they were out of uniform, he said.
Mr Weatherall and Mr Hudson had been working together on getting the masks for a while and he was very happy about the support from Workplace First Aid Training .
“Our initial project is to give [CPR masks] to all our lifeguards throughout the South Island, and then we can work from there afterwards,” Mr Weatherall said.
