On August 29, 84-year-old Mount Waverley man Ralph Di Scala was found unresponsive while gardening.
Thanks to the quick-thinking actions of his daughter, Gina, he is back to doing what he loves.
Ralph was helping his daughter Gina cut back plants when he went into cardiac arrest.
Gina immediately called triple zero and commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before emergency services arrived.
“When I turned around and saw he had collapsed I was very shocked because he was so fit,” Gina said.
“I knew I had to act quickly and manage the situation until help arrived.”
Within minutes, Fire Rescue Victoria crews were on the scene, taking over compressions, before Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics arrived.
Working together seamlessly, the crews were able to restart Ralph’s heart, shocking him with a defibrillator before transporting him to the Victorian Heart Hospital. Ralph is now back at home and has returned to doing small tasks in his garden.
Ralph said the last thing he remembered was doing light pruning before waking up in the hospital.
“I remember a little bit before I collapsed but nothing after,” Mr Di Scala said.
“I am feeling so much better now and wanted to say thank you to everyone.”
Recently, Ralph and Gina reunited with the emergency service workers who came to their aid.
Every day, around 21 Victorians will suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive.
AV Advanced Life Support Paramedic, Isabella Ydreos said Ralph’s recovery was testament to Gina’s fast actions and effective CPR.
“I don’t think the outcome would have been the same if Gina didn’t jump in,” Isabella Ydreos said.
“Her CPR was incredible and it made all the difference.
“It goes to show you don’t need to be a paramedic to save a life, you just need to remember to Call, Push, Shock.”
Gina said she was grateful for the exceptional care she and her father received.
“Dad wouldn’t be here without all the help and support of Ambulance Victoria, Triple Zero Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria,” she said.
“All the services attended and worked as a team to bring back Dad and the support they provided me during such a terrifying time was incredible.”
AV paramedics and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters work together to respond to critical medical emergencies under the Emergency Medical Response (EMR) partnership.
