POINT CLARE, Australia — A paramedic is urging every parent to learn CPR after helping resuscitate his own child who went into cardiac arrest.
Jayd Osborne woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of his 10-month-old son Lincoln crying, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Lincoln is teething so Osborne didn’t worry, but as he went to prepare his bottle and some medication, he heard Lincoln’s breathing becoming labored and slowing.
“I found him lying in the cot very pale and hyperventilating and knew straight away he was ill and he needed help.”
When Lincoln went into cardiac arrest, Osborne remained calm and performed CPR for six minutes while waiting for an ambulance.
“By the time they arrived I didn’t have much left in me emotionally and knew he was in the best hands possible as they had all the necessary equipment, knowledge and training to hopefully save my son’s life,” Osborne said.
Lincoln survived and was diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, a rare heart condition known as CPVT, and remains in intensive care.
“Life is fragile and CPR can mean the difference between life and death regardless of the cause. Every parent should know the skill. Lincoln is proof of that,” Osborne said.