Close call in Highton highlights CPR importance

THE NEAR-FATAL collapse of a Highton resident due to cardiac arrest has highlighted the benefits of maintaining cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.

71-year-old grandfather Graeme Best collapsed from a heart episode while cycling alone in September in Highton, which Deakin University Associate Professor Lara Fuller witnessed.

“It was fortunate because I was driving home later than I should have been,” Ms Fuller said.

“About 20 metres in front of me, I saw a man just fall sideways off his bike for no reason and lie still.

“I knew something had happened, so I pulled over – he was unresponsive, so I started CPR straight away.”

An off-duty police officer and an Epworth Geelong radiographer were other bystanders at the scene to help Mr Best.

Mr Best then spent five days under hospital care before heading home.

He said he was on the road to recovery and was looking forward to getting back on his bike.

“It’s hard to imagine that all those things happened and that’s why I’m still here.

“I don’t know what to say but the biggest thank you possible to everyone that helped.”

As a team, the bystanders knew to call Triple Zero (000), collect an AED from a nearby school, and administer a shock while Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics were on the way.

Ms Fuller said no one wants to have to use CPR skills, but she was thankful that she knew what to do at the time.

“I’ve taught CPR regularly over many years at Deakin and this was very much like one of the scenarios we do with the students,” Ms Fuller said.

“I really encourage people to do CPR training because it’s actually not hard and it’s such an important skill.”

AV Barwon South West acting regional director Jessica McGowan said cases such as Mr Best’s highlighted the importance of Ambulance Victoria’s “Shocktober” campaign and pushing the idea that all Victorians could save a life.

“The actions of those amazing community members are the reason Graeme was able to return home to his family.

“When a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before our paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.”

Shocktober is a month-long AV campaign to highlight the importance of learning CPR and learning how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

To learn more about the Shocktober campaign, head to ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober/