A Hong Kong man is preparing to return home after surviving a cardiac arrest during an evening walk in Tasmania last month.
Kei collapsed just metres from his front door while walking with his daughter Troy.
Troy immediately called triple-zero (000) while neighbour Fiona began CPR.
A nearby GoodSAM responder, Kristin, also rushed to help.
A PACER team happened to be in the area and arrived first on scene.
They continued chest compressions and used a defibrillator to restore Kei’s heartbeat.
Additional Ambulance Tasmania paramedics then transported him to hospital.
Garry White, the attending intensive care paramedic that night and director of operations for Ambulance Tasmania, said Fiona’s quick actions made a crucial difference.
“When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 10% with every minute that passes,” he said.
“It is critical that people immediately call 000 and begin chest compressions to keep oxygen circulating and give the patient the best chance of survival.”
Troy said the family was grateful for everyone who helped that night.
“If it wasn’t for our neighbour Fiona, the GoodSAM responder and the incredible care from police and paramedics, we may have had a very different outcome,” she said.
“This experience has given us a second chance and we’re just so happy to have more time together before dad heads home in a few weeks.”
