Sunbury teacher Jaz Jessop reunited with lifesaving paramedics after cardiac arrest
When Sunbury teacher Jaz Jessop suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed at work, a dozen workmates rushed to her aid. And after being reunited with paramedics who saved her life, she has a message for all good Samaritans. WATCH VIDEO
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Sunbury teacher who suffered a cardiac arrest at work has been reunited with the first responders who saved her life.
Jaz Jessop, 59, had just finished teaching her third dance class at Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School on July 29 when she suddenly felt unwell and collapsed.
Her colleagues Carolyn Rains and Heather Baird — who were talking to her only seconds before — rushed to her aid and immediately started CPR.
“We were just leaving the classroom as the bell had gone and Jaz said she felt dizzy,” Ms Baird said.
“And with that she went down and didn’t get up again. I raced over to her and she wasn’t breathing.
“(So) I moved her into a better position so we could check her airway properly and that’s when Carolyn joined and started CPR straight away.”
The pair said they were just focused on doing their best and it all fell into place like they’d “done it 100 times before”.
A defibrillator was used before paramedics arrived and Ms Jessop was taken to Sunshine Hospital where she spent time in intensive care.
The performing arts therapist had a defibrillator inserted in her chest that is now affectionately known as “Sparky”.
She was discharged in less than a week and returned to work in September.
Ms Jessop said the amount of support and love she had received since her cardiac arrest had been “amazing”.
“Probably 12 or more people were all working together to save my life,” Ms Jessop said.
“That’s something they’ll never forget and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedic Stephen Hollowood said the bystanders’ quick thinking led to a positive outcome.
“As soon as a heart’s stopped the brain’s not getting any oxygenation and so you start getting death of cells,” he said.
“If we don’t get that circulation happening, even with CPR, then the person’s chances of being resuscitated are very limited.
MORE: GREENVALE DAD DELIVERS HIS DAUGHTER AT HOME
BOY FROM OZ STAR GUILTY OF $30K TAC INJURY SCAM
UNLIKELY MELBOURNE SUBURB NOW AN AIRBNB HOTSPOT
ELITE BASKETBALL HUB TO BE BASED IN BROADMEADOWS
“Even if we get the heart started down the track there’s too much brain damage, so people doing CPR is the most crucial part of the whole chain of survival.”
Mr Hollowood said once someone started CPR the chances of survival for a cardiac arrest doubled.
“The bottom line has to be to have a go,” he said.
“In the past and even now people worry about doing the wrong thing and not doing it well enough.
“Obviously do the courses, learn CPR, know where the defibrillators are at work but really if someone collapses and you can’t rouse them, start CPR straightaway and that’ll make a difference.”
More than 1200 Victorians have accepted a GoodSAM alert — a smartphone app that connects adults with first-aid training with cardiac arrest patients and defibrillators in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.