Kate Lambert was working from home in Mebourne’s western suburbs when she responded to a GoodSAM alert that someone in her area was experiencing a cardiac arrest.
GoodSAM is an app, integrated with triple-0, designed to save lives by alerting people nearby that someone needs CPR in the first critical minutes after cardiac arrest.
Ms Lambert, a registered nurse of over 20 years and a director on the board of The Sisterhood Project based in Footscray, rushed to save the man who might not have survived if she hadn’t been there to help.
“I arrived at the address and took over CPR from the man’s wife, who was being instructed by emergency services. I performed hands-only CPR for four minutes before the paramedics arrived,” she said.
“The man arrived at hospital alive, I don’t know if he would have survived if I hadn’t responded to the alert.”
According to Heart Research Australia, 55 Australians suffer a cardiac arrest every day, and if they are not at a hospital less than right per cent survive.
CPR performed immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can triple the chance of survival.
The Sisterhood Project co-founder Skye Larson said that this heart warming story is in the minority but shows the importance of knowing how to perform CPR.
“It is incredible that Kate was able to attend this GoodSAM alert and help save a man’s life,” she said.
After a cardiac arrest, every minute that passes without CPR the chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent (Heart Research Australia).
The death rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients remains at 90 per cent.
“Our aim at The Sisterhood Project is to help remove the barrier’s some parents and carers face in learning CPR and First Aid. These transferable skills can save, not only your child’s life, but the life of any bystander requiring CPR,” Ms Larson said.
Jennifer Pittorino
