A life saved
A community connectedWe recently welcomed to Brighton Grammar a very special BGS connection and an important reminder for us during Men’s Health Week.
Beneath the Oak in the Quad, four members of our community shared a conversation that few could have imagined taking place just a few months ago. While they had met before, the circumstances were very different.
The emergency
In March this year, BGS parent Peter Eyers suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in his family home. By his side were his wife Katie and Year 12 son Harry. Arriving moments later was firefighter and fellow BGS parent, Steve Axup.
Due to patient confidentiality, Steve was unable to make contact with the family following the emergency. It was only when he recently saw Harry and Peter sharing their story on the news that he recognised them and was able to reach out. Their meeting at Brighton Grammar was a powerful reminder of community, gratitude and the extraordinary chain of events that brought them together again.
As Peter collapsed, Harry, who was preparing to leave for school, immediately commenced CPR alongside his mother. Their quick thinking and decisive actions helped keep Peter alive until emergency services arrived.
First responders arrive
Among the first responders was Steve, who continued life-saving care at the Eyers’ home. Reflecting on the experience, Steve was clear about who the true hero was. ‘As the firefighter who took over CPR from Harry after Peter’s cardiac arrest, I bore witness to Harry’s incredible bravery, composure and well-executed CPR skills.’
It is an extraordinary endorsement from someone who attends emergencies for a living and a powerful reminder of the impact that knowledge, preparation and calm action can have in a moment of crisis.
What followed was equally remarkable in the scale of the emergency-response team’s effort. Steve was one of four firefighters, two paramedics, two MICA paramedics and then four ECMO staff who attended.
Innovation in emergency care
Thanks to the efforts of the ECMO staff, Peter became the 41st Victorian to receive world-leading emergency treatment in his own living room through Ambulance Victoria and The Alfred Hospital’s pioneering pre-hospital ECMO program.
The CHEER3 pilot uses the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to take a patient’s blood outside of the body to a heart-lung machine. The machine removes carbon dioxide and sends oxygen-rich blood back to the body. It’s a groundbreaking intervention that ultimately helped save his life.
Powerful health reminder
Peter’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies, prioritising regular health checks and acting when something does not feel right. While Men’s Health Week shines a spotlight on men’s wellbeing, the message is equally relevant for women and families. Preventative health checks can save lives.
It is also a timely reminder of the value of First Aid and CPR training. Harry had learned CPR both through the PE curriculum at school and through Scouts, and Katie was a surf lifesaver for Anglesea. This training gave them the confidence and capability to respond immediately when Peter needed them most.
Small actions, lifesaving impact
As a school, we are incredibly proud of Harry’s courage, composure and actions under immense pressure. We are equally grateful to Steve and the many emergency personnel whose expertise and teamwork contributed to Peter’s recovery.
This week, our community also has access to a complimentary Shane Warne Legacy Health Check kiosk. We encourage all parents, staff and community members to take a few minutes to complete a health check. Even if you feel perfectly well, it provides a valuable baseline and an opportunity to better understand your current health and wellbeing.
Sometimes the smallest actions (booking a check-up, learning CPR or paying attention to a symptom) can make all the difference.
Meliora Sequamur.
