Life Saving Stories
Springwood resident calls Triple Zero before suffering a cardiac arrest
Springwood paramedics, Tim Arndell and Graeme Findley were reunited with Springwood resident Richard Collier who suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday 28 April 2008.
Richard had been suffering chest pain, off and on, for sometime when his wife rang triple zero that morning and requested an ambulance. He was treated under the chest pain protocol and transported to Nepean Hospital. Shortly after departure, the patient suffered several runs of sinus bradycardia, his cardiac rhythm then quickly changed to VT and then VF. The operations centre was advised that the patient was now in arrest.
Graeme and Tim gave one 150 joule shock from the Zoll defibrillator, resulting in asystole. However, after less than a minute of CPR, Richard regained consciousness and remained stable for the remainder of the journey to hospital.
He arrested again in the resuscitation bay and received a further 18 shocks prior to having a stent inserted. He is now home and feeling well, and puts his survival down to the prompt arrival of paramedics and excellent care at Nepean Hospital.
Photo: Survivor Richard Collier met up with Paramedics Tim Arndell (left) and Graeme Findley during a morning tea and Zoll presentation at Springwood Ambulance Station.
Further information:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, and kills
one Australian every ten minutes. The chances of recovering from a heart
attack/cardiac arrest improve dramatically when the chain of survival is
followed, which includes:
- Early recognition of the signs of a heart attack and activation of Triple Zero
- Early CPR
- Early Defibrillation
- Early Advanced Care
- By knowing the signs of a heart attack, you can play a vital role in saving the life of a friend or relative.
Signs include:
Chest discomfort: Most
heart attacks involve pain in the centre of the chest that lasts
for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. Discomfort
can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas
of the upper body: Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath: Often
comes along with or prior to chest discomfort.
Other symptoms: Might
include a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.
Other life saving stories:
- Springwood resident calls Triple Zero before suffering a cardiac arrest - 20 June 2008
- Cardiac arrest survivor reunited with paramedics who saved his life - 28 April 2008
Ambulance has a fully accredited Ambulance Education Centre as well as regional training units that deliver in-service training, online learning courses and clinical support programs which include workshops and clinical assistance.