FATHER’S Day 2024 is a day 75-year-old Inverloch grandfather John McLennan and wife Pam will long remember.
Planning to visit children and grandchildren in Melbourne the couple were just about to get into their car when John, a retired doctor, suddenly felt unwell.
“John went back into the house to sit down,” said Pam.
“I found him at the table collapsed.”
Pam immediately knew something terrible had happened.
“I called Triple Zero (000) and started pumping his chest,” Pam said.
Within minutes the doorbell rang and in walked GoodSAM volunteer responders Kathryn Croatto and Gemma Weeks, Luisa responding from her home just around the corner and Gemma driving the short distance from a farm on Inverloch-Kongwak Road.
“I took over the heart compressions from Pam,” said Kathryn.
Skilled in CPR, Kathryn and Gemma continued heart compressions until paramedics Bonnie Fitzpatrick and Luisa Corrigan arrived within eight minutes of being despatched from Wonthaggi.
“John and Pam had a defibrillator in the house,” said Gemma.
Pam said it was one of the most terrifying moments of her life.
“I wasn’t convinced he’d make it because he was down for a good half hour,” Pam said.
“Luckily I’d done a CPR course and purchased a defibrillator.”
Luisa Corrigan has been a GoodSAM responder for three years and was able to use her CPR skills from being a cardiac physiologist at The Alfred Hospital to help John.
“It feels so good to give something back and know you helped give someone a second chance.”
Kathryn Croatto a coronary care nurse at Gippsland Southern Health Service was also nearby when she received the GoodSAM alert and raced to help.
“When I got there Luisa had located the AED,” said Kathryn.
“We continued the CPR and followed the prompts to deliver two shocks to John before the ambulance arrived.
“I have seen people survive and the ones that do the best have had early CPR and defibrillation.
“For John to have had a defibrillator in his home is amazing.”
Paramedic Bonnie Fitzpatrick said without the quick response from Pam and the GoodSAM responders John might not be alive today.
“The GoodSAM responders and Pam did such a fantastic job giving CPR and delivering two shocks from the AED. John was breathing when we arrived.
“It really shows how much of a difference bystander intervention makes and why everyone should learn how to do CPR. You never know when you might need it.”
Pam McLennan said Inverloch was part of a pilot program for the Heart Safe Communities initiative.
Heart Safe aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates by teaching community members how to perform CPR and use an AED.
A doctor for 50 years and paediatrician for 30, John and his former medical practice manager Pam moved to Inverloch when they retired 14 years ago.
“What happened to me was an unusual event,” said John.
According to Bonnie Fitzpatrick, it can happen to anyone, anytime.
“It’s unpredictable,” said Pat.
“We were both physically active and John’s health was good.
“I don’t think we’ll ever be able to thank them enough.”
“It’s a bit surreal.”
The first John became aware of his heart attack was when he woke up in hospital.
“It’s hard to talk about how you feel after a near-death experience,” said John.
John was taken to the Intensive Care Unit of the Victorian Heart Hospital in Clayton and didn’t regain consciousness for 24 hours.
“What I do remember is chest pain from broken ribs and breastbone.
“I was in hospital for ten days and have slowly returned to a normal life,” said John.
Describing himself now as in very good health John is playing regular golf again and walking on the beach.
Kathryn Croatto said finding out John was doing well was an enormous joy.
Paramedics Bonnie and Luisa advise that any CPR is better than none.
“Don’t be afraid to give it a go.”
CPR training is available through local lifesaving clubs and the Inverloch Hub.
For more information about becoming a GoodSAM responder go to ambulance.vic.gov.au/call-push-shock.
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
