Inaugural West Coast Eagle John Annear says a near-death experience on the Cocos Islands was life changing and has urged people to learn CPR.

He told Millsy at Midday host Steve Mills he was surfing with his wife and two friends, one a doctor and one a vet, when he hit his head on the reef and floated unconscious for four minutes before one of his friends found him and performed CPR. 

“The Cocos community really came from everywhere to help… it was a very humbling experience,” Annear says.

Click PLAY below to hear John’s life changing story


The support of friends and family helped Annear through the difficult time.

“I’m just very lucky I have a great family,” Annear says.

Image credit: Bowra and O’Dea