Baby Saved by CPR Training That's Being Offered for Free

In a split second the 8month old son of Jacqui Hutchinson’s friend could have drowned, but her CPR training kicked in, and it’s why she’s encouraging parents and carers to join the free Heart Beat Club in May.

Key points:

Drowning deaths in Australia have reached their highest level since 1996, according to the National Drowning Report
Mum of four Jacquie Hutchinson says CPR training helped save an eight-month-old baby from drowning
Parents and carers can access free online first aid and CPR training through the Heart Beat Club this May

According to last year’s National Drowning Report, drowning deaths in Australia have reached their highest level since 1996 with 357 lives lost across the country. At the same time most cardiac arrests occur in the home, meaning our family and friends could rely on us to step in.

Mother of four Jacquie Hutchinson was visiting friends when she noticed what she thought was doll submerged in an esky of iced water.

“I don’t think my brain could actually believe what I was seeing,” Jacquie told Hope 103.2.

“It was my friends 8-month-old and he was blue.

“My daughter Jordie snapped me into life-saving mode [and] when I pulled him out and I touched his cold, wet skin I knew it was real.

“I started CPR immediately; I didn’t think, I just acted. The training kicked in. When I saw his colour start to come back, I knew it was working.”

During May through the Heart Beat Club, parents and carers can access a free one-hour online course explaining essential first aid for babies and toddlers.

“When I turned to hug my friend, I still remember her saying, ‘I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t here’,” Jacquie said.

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“She didn’t have the knowledge, and panic sets in when you don’t know what to do.

“The Heart Beat Club [makes] it easy for parents and carers to learn these skills.

“It’s simple, it’s free, it’s online and it only takes an hour, but it’ll give you the confidence to act in a real situation.

“Knowledge is power and for me, that’s exactly what kicked in when I needed it most. And it came from having basic CPR knowledge from my 20’s.”

Find out more about the Heart Beat Club via their website.

Feature image: Canva Pro

Laura Bennett

Laura hosts Hope Afternoons on Hope 103.2, sharing uplifting music, engaging interviews and her insights as a reviewer and author. She is also the host of the UNDISTRACTED podcast where she explores the lives and expertise of her guests in order to learn how to become better at building our lives with intention, and live in the ways of Jesus.