Man suffering cardiac arrest during basketball game resuscitated by public, including 3 off-duty nurses, Singapore News

“Eroe recognised it immediately: a heart attack — but when they checked for a pulse, there was nothing. The man was in cardiac arrest,” said KTPH.

Timely and coordinated response

The nurses immediately acted.

Dioanes was sent to retrieve an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) while Benson stayed with the patient. A bystander had begun performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while Eroe called the SCDF.

When Dioanes reappeared with the AED, Eroe used the device with Benson’s help, following the AED’s prompts to deliver a shock while CPR continued. SCDF paramedics subsequently arrived and took over.

The hospital said the man’s pulse returned, and he was taken to KTPH with Eroe in the ambulance.

“By the time we reached the hospital, he was fully awake and able to speak. That was when I finally felt relieved,” Eroe was quoted as saying.

“Even off duty, the nurse in you never really switches off,” Eroe said. “It was very frightening, but being calm and knowing what to do gave me the confidence to respond.”

Eroe, Benson and Dioanes were presented with the SCDF Community First Responder Award and Community Lifesaver Award, which recognises members of the public who display courage and public spiritedness in emergencies.

“For these three nurses, it was a reminder that sometimes, the skills honed at work can make all the difference, even when you’re simply waiting for your turn to play,” KTPH added.

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lim.kewei@asiaone.com