A man who spent years teaching CPR to nippers survived a cardiac arrest after being helped by an ambulance call-taker who was one of the youngsters he trained.
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club life member Michael Sharry was getting ready for a morning bike ride on the Sunshine Coast, in February, when he collapsed at home.
He was unresponsive, and his wife Karyn immediately called Triple Zero (000). She listened to the calm instructions from Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) emergency medical dispatcher Shari Kath on the other end of the phone and started CPR on her husband.
What Ms Sharry did not know is that Ms Kath is an old family friend and fellow surf lifesaver – a 12-year-old nipper at the club where Michael patrolled.
The same man who taught her the importance of “hands on chest” was now in need of help, and Ms Kath delivered instructions to Ms Sharry until paramedics arrived. Both women were crucial links in Mr Sharry’s chain of survival.
When paramedics arrived, Mr Sharry was still unresponsive but, after two shocks with the defibrillator, he was resuscitated and taken to the hospital.
Two months later, he is on the road to recovery and he and his family welcomed the opportunity to thank all the first responders involved in person at Birtinya Ambulance Station.
He also discovered, for the first time, that the calm voice on the other end of the call was the young nipper he once trained.
QAS data reveals approximately 79 percent of cardiac arrests occur in the home, highlighting the importance of learning lifesaving CPR skills.
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Mr Sharry, who got his Bronze Medallion at Kawana SLSC and was a club captain at Mooloolaba SLSC a SLSC, said he was an example of the importance of CPR.
“I’ve been involved in CPR and first aid my whole life, and here I am now, living proof,” he said.
Ms Kath said she knew who the patient was as soon as she heard Ms Sharry’s voice on the phone.
“I immediately flagged with my supervisor that I knew this patient, however I knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t follow through myself,” she said.”Once Karyn said Michael had fallen unconscious, we very quickly began CPR.
“The facts that Karyn was able to get hands on chest so quickly is the reason this was a successful outcome and Michael is standing here today.”
Ms Sharry said she would been lost without Ms Kath’s instructions over the phone.
“It was like she was in the room with me,” she said.
“Without her I wouldn’t have known what to do, even pulling Michael over onto his back to begin CPR.
“We encourage everyone to learn CPR as you never know when it could save a life.”
