Baby’s remarkable recovery
February 20, 2025in News
Reuben Fisher is a happy, healthy baby, but in October last year he was fighting for his life.
It was a normal day at home when, without warning, 10-week-old Reuben suddenly became unresponsive during a feed.
His mother, Amy, immediately called Triple Zero (000) and used her nursing background to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
“Instinctively I knew something serious was wrong,” she said.
“Thankfully, the response from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the paramedics was so quick and they were able to take over and care for Reuben.”
Within about five minutes both FRV and Ambulance Victoria (AV) crews were on scene with firefighters performing chest compressions and ALS paramedics monitoring Reuben’s airways and vital signs.
After about 14 minutes Reuben’s heartbeat returned and paramedics transported him to Warrnambool Base Hospital where he was stabilised before being transported by fixed-wing plane to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Little Reuben stayed in the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a week and spent an additional two weeks in hospital after that before returning home.
Reuben and his parents reuniting with the paramedics who responded to him in October.
Every day, around 21 Victorians will suffer a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive.
This can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any age, health or fitness level, and often without symptoms.
Early CPR and a shock from a defibrillator before emergency services arrive more than doubles the chance of survival.
Amy said she counts her blessings every day that her little boy is now back at home and reaching his milestones.
“When the emergency services arrived and took over it was a huge relief,” she said.
“It was amazing knowing they had Reuben’s best intentions at the forefront of their minds.
“Now, Reuben is doing amazing and is meeting his milestones and developments. He’s rolling, he’s starting to smile and giggle and it’s really lovely.”
AV Southern Grampians Clinical Support Officer Sam Uren responded to Reuben’s case and said it was fantastic to hear he’s made a full recovery.
“It was all hands on deck to help Reuben have the best chance of a positive outcome,” he said.
“FRV continued with compressions allowing paramedics to focus on advanced airway interventions and administering essential medications.
“We’re really fortunate to have played a part in this positive outcome and it shows the exceptional care provided by those involved, including Amy.”
Reuben Fisher and his mum Amy (middle front), reunited with AV and FRV staff.
In February, Reuben and his family reunited with the emergency service workers who helped save him last year.
“It was good to say thank you and remind them they did an exceptional job helping to save Reuben,” Amy said.
“We’re so lucky to have Reuben and he’s doing so much better than we expected or could have hoped for.”
With around 80 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring at home, Amy said she hopes to encourage other parents to learn the skills that saved her baby.
“Doing CPR training and a first aid course while you’re pregnant is very worthwhile,” she said.
“There are so many easy to access options out there and you never know when you might need it.”
Victoria’s cardiac survival rates are one of the best in the world, thanks to high rates of early intervention.
Emergency Medical Response (EMR) is a collaborative program between AV and FRV designed to improve survival from cardiac arrest.
When you call Triple Zero (000) for an unconscious, non-breathing or pulseless patient, firefighters are co-responded with the nearest ambulance.
Alongside the existing GoodSAM app and other initiatives, EMR complements AV’s world-class service and further enhances patient outcomes in the community.