Almost two years ago, Peter Reynolds received the greatest Christmas gift: a family member saved his life.
The 66-year-old, from Westmeadows, had a cardiac arrest and is sharing his story during Shocktober to encourage others to learn lifesaving skills.
Shocktober is a month-long campaign by Ambulance Victoria to highlight the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Mr Reynolds was helping his cousin, Stephen Gustus, move house on December 23, 2022, when he suddenly collapsed, hit his head and became unresponsive.
Mr Gustus moved his cousin onto his back and checked his vital signs while calling his mum, Shar, who was downstairs.
After realising Mr Reynolds wasn’t breathing, Mr Gustus immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while his mum called triple-0.
Working together, the pair took turns performing effective CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene.
After spending six days in intensive care at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Mr Reynolds returned home and recovered with no lasting effects.
Mr Gustus said he had learnt CPR through a first aid course but had never needed to use it before.
“I thought he was going to die if I didn’t act fast, so I wasted no time starting compressions,” he said.
“The gravity of what happened has definitely sunk in now and I realise how precious life is.
“Peter and I were always close but now we’re even closer. He’s like a father to me and it’s special that I was able to help save him.”
Ambulance Victoria paramedic Sophie Patsialaridis said Mr Reynolds’ story shows how important early bystander intervention is for cardiac arrest cases.
“A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any age, health or fitness level, and often without symptoms,” she said.
“Peter was lucky Stephen knew what to do and was able to quickly start effective CPR in the crucial minutes before emergency services arrived.
“We want everyone to know that you don’t have to be a paramedic to save a life, you just have to remember to call (call triple-0), push (perform CPR), shock (use an AED).”
Thanks to the quick thinking of those around him, Mr Reynolds has made a full recovery.
“I’m thankful to the paramedics, they do great work everyday and I am in awe of them,” he said.
“In my eyes, Stephen is the real hero as he overcame the emotion of seeing a loved one like that and focused on my health and what he needed to do to save me,” he said.
“His quick thinking made all the difference. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for his efforts.”
Mr Reynolds and Mr Gustus met with Ms Patsialaridis and the firefighters who responded to the triple-0 call on October 21 to thank them for their help.
