‘Mum was freaking out’: How hero 11 year old saved dad

This Gold Coast 11 year old has been commended by paramedics for his quick thinking that helped save the life of his father.

AT JUST eleven years old Max has already had enough drama to last him a lifetime, after making the emergency call that saved his father’s life.

The Biggera Waters State School student Max Potter was on Monday commended by the Queensland Ambulance Service for his quick thinking and calm head when he saw his father Leslie Potter gasping for air due to a severe respiratory attack in May.

Instead of panicking, Max grabbed the phone and dialled triple-0.

“I took lots of deep breaths and thought about something else to keep calm,” Max explained.

“Dad was on his knees beside the bed, so I was a little bit nervous and a little bit scared. Dad has had asthma attacks before but none this bad.

PLAN FOR HOSPITAL IN THE GOLD COAST’S NORTH ANNOUNCED

Eleven year old Maxwell Potter with his certificate of appreciation and proud parents Jessie Ying Jie Zhao and Leslie Potter, together with paramedics ralph Wilkinson (left) and Paul Neilsen (right) at Southport Ambulance Station. Leslie Potter suffered a life-threatening onset of asthma at his Runaway Bay home and was left in severe respiratory distress and unable to communicate. Leslie’s son Max recognised the emergency and called Triple Zero . Picture Glenn Hampson

“He was struggling and mum was crying her eyes out and freaking out.”

Paramedics say Max remained clear and precise while answering all the Emergency Medical Dispatchers questions and waiting out the front of his home to direct the ambulance.

Once on scene, ambulance officers were blown away by how helpful and calm he was as he assisted them in helping his dad.

According to the Advanced Care Paramedic Ralph Wilkinson and Paul Neilsen, Max even had his father’s medication out to help advise their decision.

“We arrived under lights and sirens, it was a very serious situation,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“Just ten minutes later and it would have been a very different situation.”

Mr Wilkinson said the situation was a clear example of why it is important to educate children on how to call triple-0.

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“What Max did, clearly does save lives, it is such an important thing to know.”

Since his father’s recovery and return home, Max had been given a tour of the Southport ambulance station and a commendation by Gold Coast Assistant Commissioner Chris Draper for his efforts.

Max said he was glad to thank the paramedics in person.

“I never thought I would see them again, I wanted to thank them for saving my dads life. We are still living with the aftershock, if they weren’t there I don’t know what I would have done,” Max said.

“My friends at school also think it is pretty awesome.”

Max said he particularly enjoyed seeing the paramedic rest and relaxation areas on the tour of the station.

“The ping-pong tables looked awesome.”

Max said he hoped to go into a similar high-adrenaline profession to his heroes when he left school – by entering the SAS.

“I might be a lawyer, stock broker or the prime minister after that,” he said.