When 21-year-old Joshua first volunteered for St John Ambulance Victoria’s Ballarat Division earlier this year, he wanted to learn new skills and give back to his community. What he didn’t expect was that, only a few months later, he would be called to help save someone’s life.

Josh, a dual Nursing and Paramedicine student at the Australian Catholic University, was on his way from Ballarat to Geelong when he received an alert from the GoodSAM app, a platform that connects trained first aiders and off-duty responders to nearby emergencies.

“I was waiting for my connecting train when the alert came through,” Josh recalls. “It said there was a 30-year-old man in cardiac arrest nearby. I accepted the call, picked up my things, and ran; it was only about half a kilometre away.”

When Josh arrived, he was met by the patient’s mother, who directed him to the living room.

“He wasn’t in a good way at all,” Josh says. “I immediately started CPR and continued until the firefighters arrived. They applied the AED and delivered one shock. When the ambulance got there, they gave another shock and worked on him for about 45 minutes.”

Josh stayed at the scene, comforting the patient’s mother, helping with additional rounds of CPR, and assisting paramedics with airway management.

“I’d recently completed a St John first aid refresher course,” he says. “That training certainly helped me.”

After nearly an hour of resuscitation efforts, the team regained a pulse. The patient was transported to hospital, and a week later, Josh received incredible news: the man had survived.

“It was surreal,” Josh says. “Meeting him again later, seeing him alive, with a smile and emotion, was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Their meeting was shared in The Herald Sun: Hero student’s dramatic CPR rescue saves Deer Park man | Herald Sun

The Power of First Aid and the GoodSAM App

Josh’s story is a reminder of how vital it is to know first aid and CPR, and how technology can help save lives faster.

“Early CPR and defibrillation make a huge difference,” he explains. “The emergency services did a fantastic job providing advanced life support, but every second before they arrive really matters.”

The GoodSAM app, used by Ambulance Victoria and supported by St John, alerts nearby registered responders when someone is in cardiac arrest. For Josh, it meant being in the right place at the right time and having the skills to make a difference.

“If you’re trained in first aid or CPR, I’d really encourage you to register on the GoodSAM app,” he says. “You never know when you might be able to help.”

Looking After Yourself and Each Other

While Josh handled the situation with composure, he is also mindful of the emotional side of such experiences.

“My dad’s now a Patient Transport Officer with St John, but a former police officer, so I’ve seen how trauma can affect people,” he says. “I’ve learned that talking about it helps. I debriefed with my parents and friends, and that made a big difference.”

Josh encourages others to reach out for support after difficult events.

“No one’s too tough for trauma,” he says. “If something affects you, talk to someone, a friend, a colleague, or a professional. There’s no shame in that. It’s healthy.”

 A Future in Helping Others

Josh’s experience has only deepened his passion for caring for others.

“That moment really confirmed for me that I’m in the right field,” he says. “Helping people, whether as a nurse, a paramedic, or a St John volunteer, is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Since joining St John, Josh has already done a shadow shift as part of his volunteer training, and he loved it.

“I love the energy,” he says. “Everyone’s there to help. Even when it’s something small, like giving first aid for a scrape or helping someone with asthma, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Josh’s Message

Josh hopes his story inspires others to take the next step.

“If you’re thinking about volunteering, learning first aid, or signing up for the GoodSAM app, just do it,” he says. “You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s an amazing feeling to know you can help someone when they need it most.”