A Brisbane woman whose heart stopped beating during her usual morning run is raising awareness for heart health, first aid, and the defibrillator that saved her life.
Kaley Koppa, 43, went into cardiac arrest 12 months ago while running along the Brisbane River, before passing out on a bench and being saved by members of the public.
A security worker at the nearby Star Casino saw the perilous incident on the security cameras, and rushed to help with a defibrillator, which likely saved Ms Koppa’s life.
The keen runner is using the 12-month anniversary of the scare to raise awareness of the importance of people knowing CPR, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
“These are people that I’ve never met in my life, I’m just forever grateful, no words can describe how happy I am that I was given a second chance at life thanks to all of these people collectively,” Ms Koppa told media on Friday.
“I’m sharing my story because I want to stress the importance of having an AED readily available for bystanders to use.
“What a miracle all of this is, I can’t believe I am still alive.”
Being treated in hospital, Ms Koppa learned she has a progressive genetic heart disease, which now means she is not allowed to run. In the aftermath, doctors declared she had clinically died during the incident.
Security footage shared by the Queensland Ambulance Service shows Ms Koppa slowing down out of her jog, clutching her left arm, and then passing out on a bench.
Members of the public stop to try and help the lifeless figure.
“Her face is blue … She’s just saying she’s not breathing,” the triple-0 caller told emergency services.
Members of the public then perform CPR, and staff from the nearby casino rush over with a defibrillator.
Star Casino security worker Trevor Tyrna used the defibrillator for the first time, for real, in his life.
“I pressed the button, had everyone stand back. We shocked her once,” Mr Tyrna said.