An early morning walk to get coffee nearly ended in tragedy for a Geelong family, if not for a woman's life-saving skills.
Grovedale residents Rhonda and Trevor Bennion were on their way home when Trevor suddenly slumped against a letterbox before collapsing to the ground.
His wife, Rhonda, who was on a mobility scooter after surgery, immediately recognised her husband was seriously ill and had stopped breathing.
"I knew he was very unwell so I called the ambulance and started CPR straight away," Rhonda said.
Rhonda, who had learnt CPR while working in a medical practice and later at an outback tourist property, continued chest compressions for 10 minutes until paramedics arrived.
First on the scene was Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics Alyce Message and her colleague Lauren Schillaci.
"When we drove up to the scene, we could see Rhonda performing CPR on him which is fantastic to see," Alyce said.
"Trevor received two shocks from the defibrillator and his heart began beating again."
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics Matthew Van Der Ploeg and Ben Costin arrived soon after and intubated Trevor before he was taken to University Hospital Geelong.
Trevor spent seven days in hospital, including three in intensive care, and was fitted with a stent due to a 90 per cent blockage in one of his main arteries.
(L-R) ALS paramedic Lauren Schillaci, ALS paramedic Alyce Message, Trevor and Rhonda Bennion, MICA paramedic Matt Van Der Ploeg and MICA paramedic Ben Costin.
Every day in Victoria, around 21 people will suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive.
"I think a lot of people would be surprised at the survival rates," Alyce said.
"In my 17-year career as a paramedic, I've only seen a couple of people survive cardiac arrest."
Alyce said it was a special moment hearing Trevor had survived.
"It's not the outcome we often get, and it shows just how much of a difference bystander CPR and early defibrillation can make," she said.
"I would hope everyone hearing Trevor's story can go away and consider learning CPR, because as this family found out, you never know when you will need it, and maybe it will save the person you love."
Trevor recently reunited with the paramedics who helped save his life as part of AV's Shocktober campaign.
Shocktober is a month-long campaign that highlights the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
"No words can express the gratitude and respect we have for all the ambulance service, but in particular the two crews who saved Trev's life," Rhonda said.
"We are particularly grateful for the care and professionalism they showed, clearly explaining what was going on and how to get through the next few steps and hours at the hospital."
Trevor said he now sees every day as a bonus.
"A second chance is not just a revival, it's an opportunity to live more fully," he said.
Throughout October, around 400 people in the Geelong area have taken part in Shocktober sessions, learning CPR and how to use an AED.
Shocktober is a month-long campaign to highlight the importance of learning CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
