- The ACT Ambulance Service today commended the quick actions of a Bonython woman and issued a public reminder about the importance of learning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) following a near death experience for a Canberra grandmother.
“The evidence is overwhelming about how performing CPR on a person who is suffering cardiac arrest as quickly as possible can save lives,” ACT Ambulance Service Chief Officer David Foot said.
“Having effective CPR rapidly applied almost doubles the chances of survival compared to those with no CPR,” he said.
On Thursday 30 April 2009 at approximately 3.45pm, the ACT Ambulance Service received an emergency triple zero call from Candi Olson to help her mother Sue Massen, who was suffering from chest pain.
Shortly after the ACT Ambulance Service arrived, Mrs Massen suffered a cardiac arrest during which time her heart stopped. Intensive Care Paramedics rapidly administered advanced clinical procedures including CPR, drug therapy and defibrillation which resulted in restarting Mrs Massen’s heart.
“ACT Ambulance Service statistics show that the most likely location for a sudden cardiac arrest in Canberra is in a private home”, Mr Foot said.
“If you witness someone going into cardiac arrest, and you don’t know CPR the first thing you should do is always immediately call emergency triple zero (000). This is critical,” he said.
“Fortunately for Mrs Massen, her daughter acted quickly in phoning for an ambulance, and the paramedics were successful in restarting Mrs Massen’s heartbeat.
“Significant changes to CPR have occurred in recent years, and it is a good opportunity for the community to take a refresher course, or learn the skills involved.”
Copies of the ACT Ambulance Service instructional CPR flow chart can be downloaded from their website www.ambulance.act.gov.au)
Details of accredited CPR training providers can be found on pages 585 and 586 of the 2008/2009 Canberra region yellow pages phone directory.
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