St John vollie calls on his city colleagues in time of need

When Michael “Tiny” Napier signed up to be a St John volunteer “many moons” ago, he never imagined he would one day be the patient.

The Pilbara local – and 2022 St John WA Country Volunteer of the Year – suffered a heart attack in Perth in February.

St John paramedic Rick Candy and ambulance officer Jack Doxey with Michael “Tiny” Napier as they front the media with their story.

When Michael “Tiny” Napier signed up to be a St John volunteer “many moons” ago, he never imagined he would one day be the patient.

The Pilbara local – and 2022 St John WA Country Volunteer of the Year – suffered a heart attack in Perth in February.

But thanks to the quick response of his city colleagues – paramedic Rick Candy and ambulance officer Jack Doxey – Tiny was rushed to hospital and survived to live another day.

The St John stalwart’s story was featured in The West Australian, with Tiny urging anyone experiencing symptoms of heart attack or cardiac arrest to dial Triple Zero (000) immediately.

“Don’t worry if you look like an idiot or anything like that,” he said.

I told a mate recently, I’d rather call you a silly old bugger than show up to your funeral.”

A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest where the heart’s electrical pulse stops and the patient falls unconscious and stops breathing normally.

In WA, St John responded to almost 8000 life-threatening heart problems over the past 12 months.

Only 21 per cent of cardiac arrest patients make it to hospital with a pulse and only 10 per cent survive for 30 days after being discharged from hospital.

To show you care about heart health and make a move for lifesaving cardiac care in WA, sign up to St John WA’s Heart Starter challenge.

For more information on how to respond to a heart attack, go to stjohnwa.com.au/online-resources/first-aid-information-and-resources/heart-attack