By LAURA WAKELY
AT 28 years old, Susan Doggett never thought she’d have a heart attack.
But the unthinkable happened earlier this year when the Taylor’s Hill resident was working out on a treadmill at Derrimut 24:7 Gym.
Susan suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed.
She could have lost her life that day if it was not for the quick-thinking of five gym staff members.
Rachel Abela, Fiona Upton, Tim Mussared, Marco Sepulveda and Laura Mullan launched into action, some of them literally leaping over equipment to go to the aid of Susan.
Rachel and Fiona performed CPR, while Tim and Marco kept the area clear and calm and Laura called an ambulance, staying on the phone throughout the incident.
Fifteen minutes later paramedics arrived using a defibrillator to restart Susan’s heart before taking her to the hospital for treatment.
Susan doesn’t remember the event – it left her with a three month memory gap – but she knows one thing.
“They saved my life,” she said.
“I feel like I’m indebted to them for the rest of my life.”
Her partner Mark Doce will also be forever grateful.
Their family and friends have signed up for CPR training since the incident and Mark wants others to do the same.
“It was amazing,” he said.
“She could have had this at home with the two kids. They’ve made sure I have my partner and the kids have kept their mother.”
The five staff members were recognised for their efforts by Ambulance Victoria last week.
The group were humble about their awards and explained their first aid and CPR training had taken over.
“You know that it happens, you just wish it never does,” Marco said.
But intensive care paramedic team manager Adrian Scrofani was full of praise for the team.
“It all went towards her coming home and being safe with her kids,” he said.
“The whole group as a team did a really good job.”
He encouraged people to learn CPR or refresh their skills.
“It’s one of those skills that should be in everyone’s armoury.”