‘I wouldn’t be alive without them’, cardiac arrest patient saved by Dunsborough community members says

What was meant to be a holiday filled with relaxation for two UK travellers almost ended in tragedy with one of the visiting duo suffering cardiac arrest. But lucky for Peter Hall, and his wife Anna, a group of Busselton residents immediately jumped into action and ultimately saved his life. It all happened when, while shopping in Dunsborough on February 5, Mr Hall suddenly collapsed in the carpark and his heart stopped. A City of Busselton employee, Steve, was the first to respond. “I just turned around and saw Peter go down,” he said. “He hit his head and at first, he was fitting a bit. Then he wasn’t breathing. “I didn’t think twice and started CPR straight away.” A local doctor was nearby and stepped in to assist with CPR. Andreas Kolm, a beach inspector with the City of Stirling for 36 years, was on holiday down south with his family when he saw the commotion and rushed to help. He carries his own personal Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in his car and immediately grabbed it. “I introduced myself and applied the pads,” Mr Kolm said. “The machine analysed Peter’s heart and advised a shock.” They delivered one shock, then another. “Steve and I took turns performing CPR, and on the third shock, Peter started showing signs of life,” Mr Kolm said. “You could actually see his colour change — it was amazing,” Steve said. By the time the ambulance crew arrived, Mr Hall was alive, thanks to the swift CPR and early defibrillation. On February 21, Mr Hall was able to meet his rescuers in an emotional reunion in Perth. “I wouldn’t be alive without them. It really is as simple as that,” he said. “I always wondered what would happen if I ever needed a defibrillator. Well now I know, it saved my life.” Mrs Hall said she was overwhelmed with gratitude when reunited with her husband’s rescuers. “It’s impossible to put into words how thankful I am,” she said. “Steve and Andreas didn’t hesitate in saving Peter’s life. We will always be grateful to them and to everyone who helped that day.” Mr Kolm said he hoped the story would inspire others to take up first aid training with immediate CPR and access to an AED significantly increasing a person’s chance of survival. “You never think you’ll need to use these skills, but when the time comes it can mean everything,” he said. “Doing a first aid course can save a life.”