On her way home from spending Christmas with her daughter and granddaughters in Queensland, the 56-year-old Victorian woman Cherie Day’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”.
Cherie Day the Survivor
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.
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.
“These machines are foolproof, they are a lifesaver,” Mr Watson said.
“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 going to take it.”
