Very lucky that these great people were in the right place at the right time. Although I hope this is a wakeup call for Tiger Management about perhaps upgrading the cage, its like a Sauna in there.
EW willing strangers and a handy wall-mounted defibrillator saved Cherie Day's life after she suffered a heart attack at Melbourne airport last Wednesday. On her way home from spending Christmas with her daughter and granddaughters in Queensland, the 56-year-old Victorian woman collapsed at the airport while waiting for her baggage.
All she remembers is feeling dizzy and thinking she might have sunstroke.
But when she slipped into unconsciousness and her heart stopped beating, strangers came to her aid.
Melbourne man Ruvi Herzog, Darwin woman Tracey Moore and Tiger Airways flight attendant Christy Hau were among those whom Ms Day now calls her "angels".
Mr Herzog commenced CPR, Ms Moore performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and Ms Hau found a public-use defibrillator on an airport wall and brought it to the scene.
Mr Herzog used the device to give Ms Day two heart-starting shocks before airport fire service officers and paramedics arrived.
She was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where surgeons unblocked a major heart vessel.
Ms Day met her many saviours at the hospital today, before preparing to head home to "have a cup of tea on the veranda and smell the roses" at Lethbridge, southwest of Melbourne.
Each of them hugged and kissed Ms Day.
"I'm glad you're here," Mr Herzog said.
"So am I," Ms Day replied.
Mr Herzog was thrilled to see Ms Day alive and well.
"It puts shivers up your spine, you can't believe it. It's the best outcome you could ever ask for, so it's wonderful," he said.
Ambulance Victoria emergency medical response coordinator Andy Watson said Ms Day survived thanks to the efforts of those who rushed to help her and having the public-use defibrillator nearby.
Public-use defibrillators are located at 16 sites in Melbourne, including the MCG, some major shopping centres and railway stations, as well as eight sites across rural Victoria.
The defibrillators can be used by anyone, with no need for training.
Each worth about $1000, they can be ordered by any person or group for their home, business or community centre.
"These machines are foolproof, they are a lifesaver," Mr Watson said.
Among people who have heart attacks, Ms Day was in the fortunate seven per cent who receive help from bystanders. Mr Watson said.
The attention of strangers was a lifesaver.
"I've been give another chance," Ms Day said.
"To maybe correct some errors and do some positive things. Yeah, a second chance .. and I'm
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