This hockey player suffered a heart attack in the middle of the game, but thankfully he made a full recovery!
Adams began the CPR procedure on Darren while the emergency services where on their way as part of the local response program. Upon arrival, the firefighters used a defibrillator, which can help shock the heart of someone in sudden cardiac arrest. The Ambulance Victoria Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic Rowan Harman and two paramedics also arrived to provide support in the efforts of saving Darren’s life.
‘The fact that Darren is alive today is a real team effort. To see a bystander, firefighters and paramedics join together to save a life is simply a fantastic outcome,’ Rowan said. ‘Darren was extremely fortunate an anaesthetist happened to be near-by, however it’s important to know that in a case of someone who is in sudden cardiac arrest, anyone can step in and start CPR—in fact, it’s vital that they do. ‘For every minute CPR is not done on a person in cardiac arrest their survival rate can be reduced by 10 per cent.’
Darren was able to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance and was able to make a full recovery.
This incident should serve as a remainder to hockey clubs to make sure to have an automated external defibrillator close to the pitch and to teach members the importance of CPR. The 6 steps of survival are the following:
1) Early recognition of cardiac arrest
2) Early access to emergency care
3) Early CPR
4) Early defibrillation
5) Early advanced care (paramedics)
6) Definitive care (hospital)
