ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM
Stay up-to-date with what’s happening around our organisation, and drop us a line if you want to contribute!
For all media enquiries please contact media@stjohnnt.asn.au
Stay up-to-date with what’s happening around our organisation, and drop us a line if you want to contribute!
For all media enquiries please contact media@stjohnnt.asn.au
Several Save a Life Awards and commendations have been presented at a special ceremony to recognise the brave actions of a group of bystanders and St John Volunteers who saved a life at this year’s NT City2Surf in Darwin.
With thousands of runners and walkers participating in the race, the group quietly went to the aid of Chris Trotter who was experiencing a cardiac arrest.
“I would not be here today if it had not been for the actions of the people who came to my aid that day,” Chris said.
Chris, who is a first aid trainer and has dedicated more than three decades to caring for the community, was on duty as a St John volunteer and on his way to provide aid to another at the event when the episode occurred.
“I was so lucky I was with people who knew what to do,” he said. “But I never thought that someone I had trained in First Aid would end up saving my life.”
That person was Maria Haralambis, who was volunteering alongside Chris as part of the Bicycle Emergency Response Team (BERT) when he fell from his bicycle and became unresponsive. She radioed for help and with the assistance of bystander Royston-Luke Jarman placed Chris into the recovery position.
Chris was in cardiac arrest. The immediacy at which CPR was commenced and the defibrillator administered saved his life.
Maureen Burns, an emergency department nurse, who was participating in the NT City2Surf also stopped at the scene to render assistance to the original patient that Chris and Maria had arrived to assist and who was suffering from severe heat stroke and altered level of consciousness.
Within minutes assistance came from St John NT Intensive Care Paramedic Mark Ferguson, who was also on duty at the event. With the assistance of Maria and the others on scene they attached the defib to deliver the life-saving shock and delivered oxygen as required.
At the first aid tent the other St John Volunteers were being inundated with people seeking assistance. Colin Southam who was participating in the race and is also a St John volunteer came to the assistance of the other volunteers, who were becoming overwhelmed with patients. All of these volunteers, including Emma Collins-Hudsdon and Valma Eaton are to be commended for their actions in difficult conditions. Further support came from staff from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Athletics NT and the US Marine Corps who stepped in to assist at the first aid post.
With the arrival of paramedics, Chris was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital.
St John NT CEO Andrew Tombs commended all those involved in the incident.
“An incident like this is testament to the selfless dedication of health staff and emergencies services along with volunteers who work together to provide first aid support for the community,” he said.
“If not for the quick thinking of his fellow volunteers and other bystanders Chris may not be with us today.”
Chris has since gained full recovery and joins with St John NT in thanking all of those who went to his aid and the needs of others at this event. Chris’s story demonstrates how cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and the vital need to know how to conduct CPR.
With a long family history association with St John, Chris has returned to work as a first aid trainer and in his free time is continuing as Superintendent of Darwin Cadet Division teaching the next generation life-saving skills.
“Growing up with my father as an Ambulance Officer and my mother a St John Cadet Leader, we were taught that learning first aid was a life skill, just like learning to cook,” Chris said. “I encourage everyone to learn first aid, because it could help you save someone’s life.”
The awards and commendations are as follows:
A Save a Life Award recognises a person who contributes, through the application of first aid skills, to saving the life of another person.
St John Commendations - awarded for high or noteworthy achievement
CEO Commendations – For action beyond the call of duty, reflecting the essence of St John and our values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Empathy.
Copyright © All rights reserved | St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc.