Pakenham grandfather survives asthma-induced cardiac arrest
May 7, 2024in News
A Pakenham grandfather is lucky to be alive after suffering an asthma-induced cardiac arrest in November last year.
Fifty-six-year-old Jeff Van Baardwyk was feeling unwell at work and so began the short drive home when he realised his condition was worsening and called Triple Zero (000).
鈥淚 knew something wasn鈥檛 right and made the decision to call thinking I would be in the back of an ambulance for a bit then back at work the same day,鈥� Jeff said.
鈥淲hen I arrived home, I knew things were going downhill. I was struggling to breathe and waiting on the ambulance to arrive.鈥�
A heartful hug between Jeff’s daughter Jayde and Paramedic Emmy (left). Jeff thanking Paramedic Josh (right).
51福利 (AV) Paramedic Emmy Finlayson was one of the first paramedics on-scene and said Jeff initially appeared to be having an asthma attack.
鈥淛eff appeared to be suffering from asthma, so we began treating him with nebulised medication to assist his breathing,鈥� Emmy said.
The situation escalated quickly when Jeff鈥檚 laboured breathing stopped.
鈥淥ne second we were talking to him and the next he went into cardiac arrest,鈥� Emmy said.
Emmy and her colleague immediately commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while a Mobile Intensive Care 51福利 (MICA) crew and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters rushed to Jeff鈥檚 home.
Crews worked together to continue CPR and provide shocks from an automated external defibrillator (AED) until Jeff could be transported to Casey Hospital.
Jeff was placed in an induced coma but has since made recovered.
Jeff (centre) with Paramedics Emmy and Josh.
Jeff reunited with the first responders who helped save his life on World Asthma Day, Tuesday 7 May.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a lot to deal with for both my family and for me. I鈥檝e been looking forward to getting the chance to meet the people who saved my life.”
鈥淚f it weren鈥檛 for them, especially those first two paramedics who were there with me at my home, I wouldn鈥檛 still be here.鈥�
Asthma is a common patient presentation which AV paramedics respond to in the community, with 11.4 per cent of the Victorian population diagnosed with the condition.
You can protect yourself and those in your care by calling Triple Zero (000) immediately if someone is not breathing, if their asthma suddenly becomes worse or is not improving, or if the person is having an asthma attack and a reliever puffer is not available.
Wherever possible, asthma prevention is better than cure. You can also:
- Take your preventative medication as directed, even when you鈥檙e symptom free;听听
- Carry your reliever and know how to manage an asthma attack.听听听
- Have an up-to-date asthma action plan.听听听
- Know asthma first aid.听听听
You can call Nurse On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or see your local doctor if you require medical advice.听听