Adam took three simple steps to save a life – then they saved his

Ten years ago, Adam Heitmann helped save the life of a man in cardiac arrest. In August this year, bystanders stepped in and saved his.

This Shocktober, Ambulance Victoria is calling on Victorians to give every heart a chance and learn the three simple steps to help save the life of someone in cardiac arrest – Call, Push, Shock. These steps saved Adam’s life.

Adam was exercising at his workplace, Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre in Cranbourne, when he went into cardiac arrest following a short warm-up.

Fellow gym-goers rushed to the 57-year-old’s aid, calling Triple Zero (000) and collecting the gym’s automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen tank, as Duty Captain Yash Lakhera started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to give Adam the best chance of survival while paramedics were on their way.

“This was the first time I’ve had to perform CPR. It made me realise how much the training matters because it becomes muscle memory. You just need to know the basics and push hard,” Yash said.

Two shocks from the gym’s defibrillator were delivered before Ambulance Victoria paramedics arrived.

A decade earlier, it was Adam who stepped in to help save the life of a man who experienced a cardiac arrest.

“I was working in retail at the time and heard people calling for help. It was a man who was in a chair and turning blue, so we got him to the ground, and I pushed hard and fast on his chest,” Adam said.

“I later met him and his family – it was amazing. That experience 10 years ago makes me conscious of what Yash and the team went through when they saved my life this year.”

Just weeks after his cardiac arrest, Adam was cleared to begin exercise and recently reunited with those who saved his life including Ambulance Victoria Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics.

“Yash is more than a bystander, he saved my life,” Adam said. “Without his intervention and the work of everyone, I wouldn’t be here with my beautiful daughters and son, and I wouldn’t get to spend the next 30 to 40 years with my wife.”

ALS Paramedic Racheal Mailo said it was incredible to see the recovery Adam has made.

“In my 15 years as a paramedic, he is the first person I’ve seen go from cardiac arrest to having such an amazing recovery,” she said.

“Every day, 21 Victorians will suffer a cardiac arrest and only two of them will survive. Seeing Adam’s recovery is evidence that stepping in to help someone in cardiac arrest can make the world of difference.”

MICA Paramedic John Herring encouraged Victorians not to hesitate when it comes to Call, Push, Shock.

“Quick intervention by those who witnessed Adam’s cardiac arrest had a huge impact on his survival and recovery,” John said.

“People might be frightened about doing harm to someone by doing chest compressions, but you’re saving their life. It’s amazing that Adam did that years ago and has now had it replicated to himself.”

Adam’s focus now is on recovery and sharing an important life-saving message.

“I still don’t know how to feel about what happened 10 years ago. But I know how I feel about being alive and I’m so thankful to everyone involved, if not for them I wouldn’t be here now,” Adam said.

“For me the message is simple. If you’re a business, please buy and maintain an AED. Don’t take our paramedics for granted, they are amazing and saved my life. Take the time to learn CPR, it’s so important.”

Throughout October, Ambulance Victoria has held more than 200 Shocktober events teaching more than 5,000 Victorians how to Call, Push, Shock.

Anyone can help to save a life by following the three simple steps: Call Triple Zero (000), Push hard and fast on the centre of the chest to give CPR and Shock using an AED to attempt to restart the heart.