Second chance at life for Nedlands man after gym cardiac arrest

Shaun Hemberg’s birthday started like any other – with a run to his local gym and a workout to kick start his day. 

It was just after 5am on February 16 at Anytime Fitness in Nedlands, with only the sounds of gym equipment and a handful of early risers fitting in a workout before dawn. 

59-year-old Shaun was in the basement preparing to lift weights when he suddenly collapsed. 

With no signs of life and his face turning blue, fellow gymgoer and St John WA’s Chief Preventative Officer, Megan O’Donnell, raced to his aid.  

“I was here early, and I had just finished stretching when I saw some of the regular gym members panicking and asking for help,” Megan said. 

“I then looked over and saw Shaun on the ground, obviously in a very bad way.” 

Recognising Shaun may have been experiencing a cardiac arrest, Megan grabbed the automated external defibrillator (AED) from the wall of the gym while ensuring another bystander had called Triple Zero (000).  

She applied the defibrillator to Shaun’s chest, delivered a shock and began CPR in the hope of restarting his heart while help was on its way. 

Soon enough, Shaun started showing signs he was trying to breathe. 

“It was an enormous relief to see the colour start to come back into his face,” Megan said. 

Only one in ten people will survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but receiving a shock from a defibrillator can increase survival rates to one in two. 

St John WA paramedics Colin Hoskins, Amelia Cleveland, Erin Cunningham and Ariel Wright arrived shortly afterwards to continue treatment before taking Shaun to hospital. 

“Shaun was lucky that someone was on scene who recognised they needed to call Triple Zero (000) for help, grab the defibrillator in the gym and do good-quality CPR,” Colin said. 

“This is the reason Shaun is alive today.” 

Shaun, Megan and the St John WA crew who were there that day recently met up in an emotional reunion back at the gym.  

“I’m back into the gym three or four times a week and doing everything I was doing prior to my heart issues,” Shaun said. 

“We were so worried at the time so now to see him here at the gym, back on his feet and living life to the fullest is an incredible outcome,” Megan said. 

“The first aid training I received at St John really gave me the confidence to be able to just jump into action.” 

Anytime Fitness Nedlands gym franchisee, Corbyn Berry, encouraged business owners to ensure their premises were ready for any emergency, just like his. 

“It’s so nice to see him back and smiling again,” Corbyn said. 

“I now understand how crucial the AED was in increasing Shaun’s chance of survival. Please do your first aid training, learn CPR and ensure your facility’s safety standards are up to scratch.” 

For Shaun, this has been a second chance at life and the best birthday gift he could have received. 

“I was very, very lucky that Megan was there and that the ambos arrived so quickly – I will be forever grateful to them for saving my life,” Shaun said. 

“I get to spend more time with my beautiful wife and my wonderful friends.  

“Life is good.” 

Learn first aid with St John WA today.