A Tasmanian man who collapsed at work has credited his colleagues’ quick thinking and CPR training with saving his life after a sudden cardiac arrest.
Chris James was attending a Monday morning meeting at Aurora Energy on September 23, 2024, when he suddenly collapsed.
“I nearly didn’t go to work, but I decided to go to work which I think is the key reason why I’m here,” he said.
His colleagues jumped into action, starting CPR while another grabbed the workplace’s automated external defibrillator (AED).
“One of the key reasons why I am here is that people were there straight away to provide first aid and keep the blood flowing,” he said.
Paramedics arrived soon after and stabilised Chris before rushing him to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where he spent nearly two weeks recovering.
“That’s when I discovered I’d had a cardiac arrest which was quite a big thing to hear,” he said.
“I also found out that they don’t know why I had the cardiac arrest which is also really hard.”
Just over a year later, the father of four has reunited with the paramedics who helped save his life.
Paramedic Cairine Coleman-Metcalfe said Chris’s outcome could have been very different without his co-workers’ quick actions.
“While we were able to stabilise Chris and transport him to definitive care, his coworkers’ early intervention, the good training they all received and having the AED availability – without that, his outcome could have been very different,” she said.
The reunion coincided with Restart a Heart Day on Thursday, which raises awareness about the importance of CPR and defibrillators.
Every minute a person is in cardiac arrest without CPR or an AED shock, their chances of survival drop by 10%.
Intensive Care Paramedic Matthew Mallen said AEDs are designed for anyone to use, even without formal training.
“In the case of Chris’ colleagues, being familiar with how an AED works and completing CPR and AED training provided that extra bit of confidence to step up and help save his life,” he said.
Paramedic Harley Wagner encouraged people to familiarise themselves with AED locations in their community.
“Recently there has been an increase in the number of AEDs available in the community at community centres, sporting events, shopping centres,” he said.
AEDs can be located when calling Triple Zero (000) or through the GoodSAM Responder app.
