Quick thinking saves life at Gloucester Park

A day at the races was anything but usual for swim teacher Jesse-Jayne Maclardy when one of her fellow patrons suffered a cardiac event in September 2022.

24-year-old Jesse-Jayne was wrapping up a long day at the Gloucester Park Racecourse with her mum, Simone, when they came across a woman lying unconscious on the pavement.

Quickly realising that the woman was not breathing, Jesse-Jayne ran into the nearby Steelo’s Bar and Grill to alert staff that the defibrillator was needed. She began administering CPR and the defibrillator with her mum’s assistance until the ambulance arrived.

The patron, Katherine, was hospitalised for ten days before a pacemaker was installed, but thankfully made a full recovery thanks to Jesse-Jayne’s fast and responsive actions.

The ambulance staff said that without Jesse-Jayne's help, the outcome may not have been so positive.

“If not for Jesse-Jayne’s fast response, Katherine would not have survived. She acted immediately; she was very brave,” said Simone.

For her actions, Jesse-Jayne received the Gold Star Bravery Award at the Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Awards.

Jesse-Jayne is a Swim Teacher with the Education Department and does her training through Royal Life Saving. She credits this regular training with ensuring she was able to respond so quicky and efficiently.

“It was Mum and I that worked on her and we renew our CPR every year. She’s done all her lifeguarding and senior first aid and I’ve done my advanced first aid, so the skills just kicked in,” she said.

Is it time to update your lifesaving skills? Book your First Aid or CPR course through the link below.