First aid training saves life as stranger performs CPR at Lavington Panthers Bowling Club

Posted by ABC Goulburn Murray / By Mikaela Ortolan Posted Sunday 6 September 2020 at 6:28pm on Feb 13th 2021

First aid training saves life as stranger performs CPR at Lavington Panthers Bowling Club

Jeff Iles might not be alive today if it wasn't for the quick-thinking actions of a complete stranger.

And now, Mr Iles wants everyone to consider learning first aid so more lives can be saved.

About a month ago, Mr Iles was playing lawn bowls at theLavington Panthers Bowling Club when he starting feeling unwell.

"I got hot and sweaty and started to sway in the breeze, and then down I went," he said.

Mr Iles was suffering a heart attack and the next few minutes meant life or death.

According to the Australian Red Cross, if CPR is started within the first minute of someone going into cardiac arrest they have an 80 per cent chance of survival.

That survival chance drops to less than five per cent if CPR isn't started until 10 minutes later.

Luckily for Mr Iles, Don Fraser, who knew first aid, was also at the club.

Mr Fraser was playing a game on the next lane when he turned around and noticed Mr Iles on the ground.

"I raced over there found him non-responsive, not breathing and he started to turn blue," Mr Fraser said.

heard a few blokes behind me saying 'I don't know what to do'… with that I knew it was up to me to bring Jeff back."
He told onlookers to call an ambulance and fetch the defibrillator from the club rooms.
Mr Fraser then rolled Mr Isles over, doing chest compressions until the defibrillator arrived.
With one shock, Mr Iles heart was brought back into rhythm and he was able to be stabilised until the ambulance arrived.
'Don't think about doing it. Do it.'
Less than two years ago, Mr Fraser was faced with a similar situation when a woman collapsed from a cardiac arrest.
Once again, his training kicked in and he ended up saving her life.

Mr Iles also knows first aid, and he too has had to put his training into action.
online lessons to encourage people to learn basic first aid skills.
The two sessions will be held on September 12th to mark World First Aid Day focusing on how to deliver life-saving first aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'I have certainly got a hero'
Mr Fraser said learning first aid training was vital.

"Doing something is better than doing nothing. Get trained up, get your kids trained up," he said.
"You never know when the kids are going to have to step in and save your life."
For the two men, who had seen each other around the club, the ordeal has helped forge a beautiful friendship.
Mr Iles said he was forever grateful to Mr Fraser.
"Theoretically I was dead … his compressions kept me alive," Mr Iles said.
"First aid works, and I'm living proof. I owe him my life for the rest of my life ... I've certainly got a hero."

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