Andy Hainey, from Prestwick in Scotland, and Luc Horrex, of Kent, were shopping in IGA about 11.30am when a lady ran into the shop asking for help.

“I just left my things at the counter and ran out,” Andy said. He found the man unconscious and not breathing. Luc, who had been at a different register, went to assist Andy. “I ran around the other side and rolled him flat carefully and Andy just started CPR,” he said.

“It was within 90 seconds of Andy finding him, he was having CPR.” 

Andy did CPR on the man for up to 12 minutes while Luc checked for a pulse. After Andy had done the first set of rescue breaths, another lady stepped in to take over while Andy continued the chest compressions. 

“We’re not sure who she is, but she’s an unsung hero in this as well,” Andy said. 

Paramedics told them the man had been clinically dead for a long time. “They said there was no deficit to his health and he was fine,” Luc said. “He had three stents into his arteries in his heart. He got airlifted to Geelong where a cardiologist saw him just before the cardiologist went on holiday. A little bit later and he wouldn’t have been seen until Tuesday. It all just fell into place. 

“He sat up talking to them in Warrnambool two hours after. If we hadn’t have got there to do CPR, he wouldn’t have made it.” 

When the pair arrived in Australia in December last year they had to update their CPR training for work, and Sunday was the first time either of them have had to use it.

“We did our first aid training together and it was amazing because we had the connection and I just completely forgot where we were and just got on with it,” Luc said.

When the first paramedic arrived on scene, Andy continued to do compressions while the ambulance officer got out the defibrillator. 

Another two off-duty paramedics arrived on scene, followed by a fourth paramedic and two nurses.

Once the paramedics had stabilised the man, the pair decided they should still go surfing like they’d planned because they were shaken up by the experience.

Word of the pair’s heroic actions soon spread and a Facebook appeal by the man’s family helped put them in touch to say thanks.

The pair were on their way to Melbourne on Monday but will next week cycle from Melbourne to Sydney for work.

They even have accommodation for their journey after the man’s sister offered to put them up.

Originally published as Quick-thinking duo help save man’s life by Warrnambool Standard.