Mother鈥檚 quick thinking helped save her child鈥檚 life
October 3, 2023in Community News, Shocktober 2023
A regular school morning nearly ended in tragedy for a Pakenham primary-schooler after she suffered a cardiac arrest in August this year.
Eight-year-old Lucy Hallam is lucky to be alive thanks to the quick actions of her mother Sarah who immediately started Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) when Lucy鈥檚 heart suddenly stopped.
鈥淟ucy was having seizure-like movements and then became unresponsive and wasn鈥檛 breathing,鈥� Sarah said.
Sarah had undergone first-aid training as part of her job – never thinking she would be required to put it to use.
Sarah performed CPR on Lucy until AV6K成人网 (AV) paramedics and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters arrived at their home.
Paramedic Bethany Birkett, who responded to the case, said Sarah鈥檚 actions were crucial in Lucy鈥檚 survival.
鈥淎nyone can save a life, you just have to be willing to start CPR if someone nearby needs help,鈥� Bethany said.
鈥淪arah is a big part of the reason why Lucy is here with us today.鈥�
Lucy was taken to Monash Children’s Hospital and has since made a full recovery.
She had a simple message for the paramedics and firefighters who came to her aid.
鈥淭hank you for saving my life.鈥�
With four out of five cardiac arrests happening at home, AV Medical Director Associate Professor David Anderson said Lucy鈥檚 case highlights the importance of knowing CPR.
鈥淲e urge every Victorian to learn or refresh their skills,鈥� he said.
鈥淥ur message is simple 鈥� you don鈥檛 need to be a paramedic to save a life, just remember to Call (Triple Zero 000), Push (Perform CPR) and Shock (use an AED).鈥�
Lucy and her family recently reunited recently with the paramedics and firefighters who helped saved her life as part of AV6K成人网鈥檚 Shocktober campaign.
Now in its fourth year, Shocktober calls on AV6K成人网 to learn CPR, register as GoodSAM Responders and to know where their closest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is located.
Shocktober is a month-long campaign to highlight the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).