The first year Charles Sturt University paramedicine student began the role after moving from Newcastle to Port Macquarie to study in February this year.

The 20-year-old has also found work with the Flower Hotels group as bar staff and fills in his spare time with surfing, lake boating and fishing.

"I joined WBHSLSC because I was surfing a lot at the beach there and have met heaps of awesome people. I joined just to see if I could help out," he said.

"Taking on the first aid officer role wasn't something I had planned but I just happened to be there at the time and I thought it would really help out with my studies.

"I basically doing the administration side of first aid at the moment by acquiring first aid gear and helping the education officer to keep up the skills of our patrolling members. It's something I really enjoy and I'm meeting everyone in the community as well.

"Coming from Newcastle, Port Macquarie is very close to home and a similar environment near the beach. I grew up surfing the short board and it's something I've always done."

Mr Charge has faced his own significant medical emergency at the young age of 16, when his mother Janine had a heart attack at home in February 2017.

He performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but unfortunately she passed away.

Mr Charge said he is inspired by the work the paramedics did and the memories of his mum.

"I was home alone at the time with my brother and sister when that happened. It was quite confronting," he said.

"When the paramedics turned up they were kind of like angels. I knew from that moment that paramedicine was something I wanted to be involved in and that's what I've been doing ever since."

Mr Charge has completed his Bronze Medallion at Bonny Hills and has also joined a surfboat crew. He hopes to stay in Port Macquarie and get a placement at the newly announced Lake Cathie Ambulance Station when he finishes his university education.

"I'm hoping I can get a job down there because the new station is due to open up around the time I'm meant to graduate," he said.

"Hopefully after I finish my degree I can get a job around here locally, stay in the community with the surf club. I'd also like to continue my education and do medicine to eventually get into an advanced paramedical job."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: