At just 17, Narooma’s Tom Haynes was not only the captain of his local Aussie rules football team but also at his peak fitness.
His life took a dramatic turn when while playing frisbee with mates at school on a regular Thursday morning in June 2023, when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Listen to the ‘Cardiac Arrest at 17’ episode of iHeart Far South Coast below.
Although his heart stopped, miraculously and thanks to the quick-thinking of those nearby to restart his heart with an AED (Automated external defibrillator), Tom survived.
In this week’s episode of iHeart Far South Coast, ARN journalist, James Fennessy, catches up with Tom who shares his harrowing journey from the brink of death back to life.
The pair talk about Tom’s allegiance with one the original Wiggles to raise almost $80,000 at a fundraiser held at the Narooma Golf Club to ensure more community AED’s are installed between Batemans Bay and Eden, his special visit from Luke Parker and support from his favourite AFL team, the Sydney Swans, and his comeback game and first game of senior footy with his beloved Narooma Lions last weekend.
Tom was one of the best afield in Narooma’s 52-point win over the Merimbula Diggers last Saturday and he even slotted a goal.
Tom and his family are now on a quest to raise awareness of the fact that anyone of any age can suffer a cardiac arrest and they want to equip others with lifesaving skills and knowledge as well as installing more community AED’s.
“You only have around five minutes to save somebody’s life, who experiences a cardiac arrest,” Tom said.
“You need to have that quick response to get there in time, so there needs to be AED’s in close proximity to everyone, so I think they need to be very visible and pretty much everywhere.”
If you need a defibrillator during business hours, the 2EC and Power FM Bega Bay offices at Gipps Street Bega and Orient Street Batemans Bay each have an AED on site, while Capital Chemist/Dodd & Dwyer Pharmacy just beneath our Merimbula office, has one as well, all of which are only available during office hours.
You can also search for AED sites at nswfirstaid.com.au or find out more about how you or your business can help the cause at heartofthenation.com.au
Images & video: Tom Haynes
