AusLeisure

A readily available Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Victorian 24/7 fitness club, Snap Fitness Hampton, has contributed towards saving a club member’s life.

Snap Fitness Hampton club member Mark Lampard was training with friend, Craig Harper, when Lampard suddenly collapsed, striking his head on gym equipment as he fell.

Harper initiated effective Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) before other gym goers used the club's AED.

An AED is used to analyse a person's heart rhythm and if required, it can shock a person's heart back into a functioning rhythm.

Lampard commented "fortunately, I don't remember a thing, but it is slowly sinking in how lucky I was.

"A few weeks after the incident I was looking at some photos of my daughter's graduation and I realised that they could've been the last photos she had with me if not for all those that came to my aid so quickly."

Snap Fitness Franchise Governance Manager Martin Pearce said that even though businesses are not obliged to have an AED on site, Snap Fitness has committed to fitting out its network with the life-saving devices.

Pearce advised that "Over the past three years, we've proactively worked to ensure all Snap Fitness clubs in Australia have an AED onsite and readily available, and as we've seen from Mark's experience, this device can and does save lives.

"Ensuring staff and members have access to first aid equipment is a priority, and we strongly encourage other businesses and fitness providers to make AEDs available in their local community."

Victoria Ambulance Paramedic Vanessa Cross said Harper's quick thinking, effective CPR and gym goers using the AED, all contributed to a positive outcome adding "We really commend Craig for quickly recognising that CPR needed to be done and starting effective chest compressions.

"Pre-hospital care in Victoria is world class, but it all starts when a bystander steps in and starts compressions. Once someone starts CPR, the chances of survival for a cardiac arrest doubles.”

The 54-year-old father of three spent time in The Alfred Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and had a defibrillator inserted and is slowly returning to exercise.

Lampard returned to the club this week to thank his friend and gym partner, the bystanders and paramedics on the scene who ultimately helped to save his life.

He added "I can't thank my friend Craig, those in the gym and the paramedics enough for their help on that day - because of them I have no brain or artery damage.”

Image (from left): Matt Lardner, Mark Lampard, Craig Harper, Leo Gorban and Vanessa Cross at Snap Fitness Hampton.

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