CrossFit121 gym staff use defibrillator to save Melbourne woman’s life

Ambulance Victoria has acknowledged the role of quick thinking staff at the Crossfit121 gym in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham, who resuscitated a 32-year-old mother after she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

Melbourne resident Samantha Jobe suffered a cardiac arrest while at the gym in May, and was resuscitated by gym co-owner Chris Hogan and trainer Tara Smith’s use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) borrowed from a neighbouring business.

Commenting on the incident, Smith explained “it was apparent that she’d stopped breathing and that there was no pulse, so we just started implementing CPR.”

While Crossfit121 did not have their own AED they borrowed a defibrillator from a neighbouring business, with Hogan and Smith administered CPR compressions until an ambulance arrived.

With the first four to five minutes after a cardiac arrest identified as being crucial to survival, Jobe’s life was saved by the fitness professionals.

Emergency service provider Ambulance Victoria has subsequently honoured the pair while encouraging all businesses to have an AED on premises.

Crossfit121 co-owner Maria Hogan agrees saying “it’s an investment that I think everyone should have in their workplace.”

After this incident the gym now has its own AED.

Several high profile incidents in recent months have prompted calls for more widespread use of defibrillators, with Victoria Opposition leader Daniel Andrews pledging to provide 1,000 defibrillators to Victorian sporting clubs and facilities if Labor wins the upcoming Victorian election.

In New Zealand, fitness chain cityfitness has recently completed the installation of AEDs in all of its 21 clubs.

18th August 2015 - LABOR PLEDGES TO GIVE 1,000 DEFIBRILLATORS TO VICTORIAN SPORTS CLUBS

22nd August 2014 - WELLINGTON HOSTS NEW ZEALAND’S BIGGEST CROSSFIT EVENT

15th August 2014 - DEFIBRILLATORS INSTALLED IN ALL CITYFITNESS CLUBS