(L-R) Royal Life Saving WA President Vaughan Davies, Jane Valentine, Emily Donovan, Joel Lane, Senior Constable Luke McCulloch and WA Governor Chris Dawson APM
Stars align for miracle rescue on the Swan River
A family picnic in Mosman Park turned into a nightmare emergency for Mark Donovan’s family, after the grandfather collapsed without warning from a cardiac arrest.
Fortunately, Mark was surrounded by trained medical professionals including his wife Jane – a doctor – and daughter-in-law Emily, a midwife.
Both family members quickly identified Mark has suffered a heart attack and started performing CPR before being joined by Sarah an off-duty nurse, and off-duty paramedic, Joel Lane.
“I was swimming in the river when I realised there was a commotion on land so I swam over to shore and just went to work,” says Joel.
“I didn’t have all the tools in my box that I would have in an operational ambulance but I did have my basic equipment and stethoscope.”
Five minutes after Mark collapsed, the family were able to flag down a passing Water Police boat carrying Senior Constable McCulloch, who arrived with a defibrillator and restarted Mark’s heart.
The group continued to perform CPR under Joel’s guidance and Joel was able to administer oxygen and record Mark’s vitals.
By the time the ambulance arrived Mark was breathing, conscious and in the recovery position, something Joel says is truly amazing.
“I’ve been to a fair few cardiac arrests in my career, and nine out of ten out-of-hospital cardiac arrests end in death.”
For their efforts that day, Joel and the group were recently acknowledged at Royal Life Saving WA’s Bravery Awards.
“It felt amazing to be recognised for the good work that all first responders do when they’re confronted with emergency situations,” says Joel.
“The Bravery Awards gives everyone a sense of achievement, even if it was a negative outcome, stepping forward and doing your best is better than doing nothing.”
Doctors have since diagnosed Mark with a rare form of arrhythmia and he has now been fitted with a pacemaker and made a full recovery.
Joel says it was incredibly rewarding seeing Mark so well at the awards ceremony.
“His skin colour was different, he had a good strong handshake, he was all smiles. It was incredible to see someone on death’s door and see them a few months later alive and looking healthy.”
If you know someone who has bravely stepped in to help save another person’s life you can nominate them for a Bravery Award at the link below.
