It was a stunning winter’s day at minus seven degrees when my husband and I were returning along the Taipo River toward Dillion Hut. To avoid a rough section of track, we decided to cross to the sunny side. The water appeared manageable, reaching just below our knees.

Midway across, my husband lost his footing and we were both swept downstream. I struck a rock and managed to turn myself feet first in the swift current. As I tried to move around a large boulder, my foot wedged firmly between rocks. I grabbed hold and came to a stop in chest deep freezing water.

My husband tried repeatedly to free my trapped foot, diving under in freezing water, but it would not move. The cold was overwhelming and the danger was real. I made the decision to get him out of the river before he became another casualty. It was time to activate my Personal Locator Beacon.

About forty five minutes later, I heard the rescue helicopter. After briefly losing sight of me due to the surrounding mountains, the crew returned and located me. By the time the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team reached me, I had been in chest deep freezing water for close to an hour and was moderately hypothermic. The winch operator made multiple attempts in the icy current to free my trapped foot before successfully releasing it. I was then airlifted to a hospital.

A year later, I had the privilege of meeting the advanced care paramedic and the crewman who rescued me. Learning how critical my condition had been and hearing what they went through to get me out put everything into perspective. They later received an award for that rescue. I will always be grateful for their skill, courage, and determination. Carrying and activating my PLB was the first step, and it was their professionalism and bravery that brought me home.