Daughter's New Job Skill Saves Dad's Life

Douaa Sultan, a 24-year-old insurance broker, performed life-saving CPR on her father, Hussam, 54, after he suffered a cardiac arrest on September 1, 2024. Douaa had completed a first aid course, including CPR training, only two weeks prior through her new job, intending to gain skills to impress her manager. Her father collapsed suddenly in his garden. Promptly responding, Douaa utilized her recent training. Emergency services arrived within 25 minutes, taking over Hussam's critical care. He was placed in an induced coma and later woke with a broken rib from the CPR and a head injury. Hussam expressed deep gratitude for his daughter's bravery and the life-saving training provided by St John Ambulance. He learned that his family history puts him at high risk for heart issues despite his healthy lifestyle.

Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK are less than ten percent, making Hussam's recovery remarkable. He was discharged 11 days after hospitalization, with his cognitive functions intact, a major relief for his family. This incident underscores the profound impact of basic first aid training. Douaa encourages everyone to acquire these life-saving skills, emphasizing how her initial hesitation was overcome by her manager's encouragement, leading to a situation where her training was crucial. Her mother also completed first aid training six months later.