Exceptional teamwork saved a teenager’s life, after he went into cardiac arrest at an activity centre in Rowville on September 28.
Off-duty MFB Station Officer Julian Bisbal and off-duty nurse Louise Mollet were in the right place to put their emergency medical response (EMR) skills into action when they saw the male struggling for his life.
Together with centre employee and paramedic student Mikayla Studley and other basic first aid-trained employees, the group used the on-site defibrillator to attempt to revive the non-breathing, pulseless male while emergency service personnel rushed to the scene.
CFA’s Rowville brigade was the first emergency service agency to arrive, with firefighters putting their EMR training into action to take over from the group of bystanders.
Rowville A Platoon Senior Station Officer Tim Van Den Driest said the work that had already been done for the patient was integral to reviving him.
“Every second counts when it comes to a medical emergency – these bystanders played a vital role in keeping the patient alive,” Tim said.
“Our crew took over from the very competent and diligent people already helping the patient.
“With our new EMR equipment, we were able to continue helping the patient whilst paramedics stepped in to use their expertise to work more on the patient.
“He was conscious and alert by the time paramedics were putting him in the ambulance, which was a remarkable improvement.
“This is a true example of not only emergency services working together but members of our community pitching in to save a life.”
Rowville Fire Station has been equipped to co-respond to EMR incidents for the last month, as part of the state government’s program to roll out EMR training and equipment to all 35 of CFA’s integrated brigades.
See here for more information about the program.
Author: CFA Media