FIRST aid training has proven a lifesaver for one young Swan Hill man after he had a cardiac arrest at work last month.
Twenty-two-year-old Tim Gibbs had a cardiac arrest while restocking products at Swan Hill Autobarn just before Christmas.
Nigel Decker, who co-owns the Campbell Street store with his father Ian, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Mr Gibbs as four vital minutes passed between the ambulance being called and the paramedics’ arrival.
Mr Decker told The Guardian his knowledge of CPR, gained from a career in the Army Reserves, was instrumental in saving Mr Gibbs’ life.
“If no one had basic first aid experience his chances wouldn’t have been so high,” he said.
“Even if you have only the most basic understanding of first aid, the 000 call takers take you through everything else.
Mr Decker urged the Swan Hill community to take the time to learn CPR, saying even the most basic understanding can make the difference between life and death in an emergency.
Mr Gibbs was taken to Swan Hill District Health (SHDH) in a serious condition and continues to recover from the incident.
SHDH mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic Joseph Colombo said without Mr Decker’s early intervention, Mr Gibbs may not have recovered as well as he did.
For more information about learning CPR, head to ambulance.vic.gov.au/cpr
For more on this story pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (January 20, 2016).
