4 weeks Ago
Two quick-thinking parents, a nearby volunteer and paramedics sprang into action when 14-month-old Luca experienced a cardiac arrest. or signup to continue reading Now Wodonga couple Jess and Sean Ryan encourage others to learn which helped save their son on the scariest night of their lives. "If you're going to be a parent, it's a skill you should have," Sean said.
"He was a perfectly healthy boy with no health issues and if we weren't prepared, there could have been minutes where he didn't get any assistance. "You don't think you'll need it until you do. It definitely helped in our situation.
" Responding to Luca's screams, Sean found the toddler unresponsive in his cot about 3am one March night last year, called triple zero, checked his son's airways and began CPR. A GoodSAM responder arrived soon after to help the family. is a mobile app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with a nearby volunteer who is willing to start hands-only CPR while paramedics are on their way.
"When the GoodSAM showed up, they helped prepare by clearing space for the paramedics and made sure Sean was all right to continue doing compressions," Jess said. "I stayed on the phone with the call taker who was talking us through CPR. "Not long after, the paramedics arrived and gave Luca two shocks with a defibrillator.
" Luca was taken to Albury hospital and later flown to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. He remained in hospital for about a month, spending the first three days intubated in the intensive care unit. Although now back home and recovering well, the cause of his cardiac arrest is still unknown.
Ambulance Victoria paramedic Georgia Wright attended Luca's case and said his recovery was a testament to his parents. "For every minute without CPR, chances of surviving a cardiac arrest decrease significantly," she said. "This case really highlights the importance of early and effective CPR.
This ensured Luca's brain and vital organs continued to receive the oxygen and nutrients needed for survival. "I have no doubt that his parent's actions played a key role in preventing Luca from suffering any long-term complications of his cardiac arrest." Jess said the family was "incredibly grateful" for the paramedics' support.
"They stayed with us when we arrived at the hospital as Luca was in a critical condition," she said. "They talked us through what was happening and were a calming presence. They were amazing.
" In October, the family unexpectedly reunited with the paramedics while out for breakfast. "We were able to catch them up on how Luca is going," Jess said. "It was really nice to have that full circle moment.
" Georgia said being able to contribute to Luca's recovery was a privilege. "Seeing him out in the community, thriving with his family, was such a rewarding moment," she said. Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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