Aberdeen mum tells how her quick thinking kids saved her life after cardiac arrest

Two siblings have been presented with certificates of commendation from the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) for saving their mums life.
-Credit: (Image: Pressteam Scotland)


A grateful Aberdeen mother has told how her quick thinking children saved her life after discovering she had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Donna Liddle, 39, was found unconscious at home by her son Oliver, 11, and daughter, Arianna, nine.

Arianna called 999 after finding her unresponsive on the floor while Oliver put her into the recovery position.

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Ambulance staff spoke to the brave siblings before sending an emergency crew to the family home in Aberdeen. Donna was given CPR by neighbours as well as three defibrillation shocks by mercy crews which successfully restarted her heart.

She was given an emergency anaesthetic and transferred her to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she spent 15 nights in hospital.

Donna has praised Oliver and Arianna after they were awarded certificates of commendation and Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) teddies for their bravery.

She said: "I was at home alone with my two children, my husband was in London with work. We were about to leave for school, I was brushing my teeth, and my daughter came to look for me finding me on the floor unresponsive.

"She screamed for her brother to come and help. Arianna called 999 whilst Oliver tried to put me into the recovery position. Oliver also spoke to the call handler whilst my daughter ran across the road to get our neighbours.

"She felt immediate help was needed as I had turned blue and not breathing. My neighbours started giving me CPR before the emergency services arrived."

She added: "My husband and I are extremely proud of our children. Without a shadow of doubt, they saved my life. They were faced with a traumatic situation a lot of adults would struggle with."

The family visited Aberdeen Ambulance Station to meet some of the staff who attended the emergency in June including paramedic Monica Hurley.

Donna said: "My recovery is going well. I had an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) implanted. This amazing technology should work to pace my heart out of a fatal arrhythmia if it occurs again and if this fails it will give a shock similar to that of a defibrillator.

"The survival statistics of a cardiac arrest are low and I feel very grateful to be here to tell the tale.

"We cannot believe the kindness and compassion the SAS staff demonstrated. The kids are delighted with the certificates."

Monica said: "We're so pleased to see Donna has made such a good recovery.

"The brave actions of her children saved her life that day. Early intervention is critical in Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests.

"It was wonderful to see Donna and her children again. I felt emotional myself when they were getting their certificates. The children really did remain so calm throughout the whole incident.

"I'll never forget the hug I got from the children after we got her heart beating back to a sustainable rhythm and we could tell them their mum is in a stable condition thanks to the help of the trauma team. We wish her all the best in her recovery and fundraising."

Donna is aiming to raise £10,000 for the NHS Grampian Charity's Cardiology Fund and is hosting a ticketed dinner next March in Aberdeen.