Last year, 16-year-old Rory Pittman experienced a life-altering event while enjoying an evening of sports with friends. He suddenly went into cardiac arrest.
Fortunately, the prompt actions of bystanders and the presence of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at the Queanbeyan basketball courts contributed to saving his life.
In the aftermath, Rory was understandably in shock. “I never considered heart health before; it wasn’t something on my radar,” he remarked.
In Australia, sudden cardiac arrest is a significant health concern, accounting for over 26,000 cases each year—approximately 70 incidents daily, as reported by the Heart Foundation. Alarmingly, the survival rate hovers below 10 percent.
Rory recounted his experience, stating, “I can’t remember much, but I’ve pieced together the narrative through others’ accounts.” He credited the nurses present during the game for their role in reviving him and properly executing the emergency procedures.
Thanks to the successful resuscitation efforts, Rory was quickly transported to a hospital, where he made a full recovery. Without the immediate assistance of those present and the defibrillator, his story might have had a different outcome.
“If the AED hadn’t been available, we wouldn’t have our son today,” expressed Michael Pittman, Rory’s father. When a bystander informed him of the incident, he felt a wave of dread upon hearing the uncertain response regarding his son’s condition.
“It was genuinely terrifying,” he added, reflecting on their family’s fortunate circumstances. “We were among the lucky ones due to the location of the incident and the quick response of those around.” He emphasized the need for increased access to life-saving technology rather than relying solely on luck.
In response to these concerns, plans are underway to install AEDs in every suburb of Canberra by year’s end. These user-friendly devices are designed to deliver an electric shock to restore heart function during a cardiac arrest.
St John Ambulance has partnered with Goodloop Mutual and StreetBeat to finance the distribution of these AEDs. Martin Fisk, the CEO of St John’s ACT branch, noted that 47 units have already been deployed, with an additional 77 planned for installation.
“We aim to ensure that every residential suburb in Canberra has access to these devices,” he stated, indicating that this initiative could position Canberra as one of the first cities globally to provide publicly accessible defibrillators in all neighborhoods.
Fisk highlighted the simplicity of using AEDs: “You can easily operate a defibrillator with the push of a button, and it will guide you through each step.” Users are instructed to contact emergency services and when to administer shocks.
The devices feature voice prompts and a user-friendly display that guides users through CPR instructions and the use of the shock pads, indicating when to provide rescue breaths and if additional shocks are needed. To prevent misuse, AEDs are designed to operate only during a cardiac arrest and are equipped with GPS tracking to deter theft.
“Any action taken by a bystander is better than no action at all,” emphasized Mr. Fisk. “Each year, 28,000 Australians experience a cardiac arrest outside of medical facilities. Unfortunately, the average survival rate is under 10 percent, but early defibrillation and CPR can quintuple that chance of survival.”
His goal is to train 2,500 residents of Canberra annually in the life-saving DRSABCD Action Plan.
The plan includes ensuring safety for all, checking for responsiveness, calling emergency services, confirming an open airway, monitoring for normal breathing, and initiating CPR if necessary. The use of an AED should follow promptly, adhering to the device’s voice instructions.
Rory is now in good health and continues to participate in the sports he enjoyed prior to his health scare, although the exact cause of his cardiac arrest remains unclear. “Despite extensive genetic testing, no definitive cause has been identified,” his father noted, adding that there is no significant family history of such events, making it all the more surprising.
In a turn of fate, Rory has become a cadet with St John’s Ambulance, hoping to assist others who may find themselves in similar situations. “Many at St John’s have contributed AEDs, indirectly supporting me,” he explained, sharing his motivation to volunteer. “Their passion for saving lives truly inspires me.”
