Within minutes of being asked to aid a runner who was feeling ill during a recent sports event at Umhlanga Pier, specialist nurse Aneshree Govender found herself racing against time to revive a heart attack victim.

This catastrophic occurrence underlines the essential need of timely public response in emergencies.

Govender, the cardiac ward unit manager at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital, was at the pier that day, overseeing the hospital's World Heart Day effort and offering free CPR and cholesterol testing to the community.

When she was summoned to help, she found herself in the midst of a life-or-death situation.

Chris Smith, an accomplished runner who had recently finished his 200th Parkrun, was the victim.

"As someone who has completed seven Comrades Marathons and numerous cycle races, I consider myself in pretty good shape for a 61-year-old. I could never have imagined that I was about to have a heart attack," said Smith.

He said he felt some chest pain and recalled taking it slow at times, walking key segments of the race.

"I managed to complete the run but then felt dizzy and went to sit under a tree. The last thing I remember is bending down to sit."

His wife was buying a drink for him nearby when she saw him collapse, and with the assistance of a worried runner, they quickly sought medical attention, returning with Govender.

"Upon arrival, I could see that he was terribly unwell, and almost immediately, I began to see the signs of cardiac arrest, most notably his change in colour from normal to blue. I started with chest compressions, and his wife was able to assist me by providing airway support.

“Fortunately, there was an Automated External Defibrillator on site – a piece of emergency equipment that connects to a patient's body in specific areas, analyses a person's heart rhythm and delivers a shock to help re-establish an effective rhythm in the heart. This was brought quickly to the scene, and Chris responded after just one shock. We are not always so lucky," she said.

After being resuscitated, Smith was transported to the hospital by ambulance, where he was stabilised and moved to the critical care unit.

After an angiogram (a scan that shows blood flow through arteries or veins, or through the heart), it was found that he needed to remain in the hospital for coronary artery bypass surgery, and he continued to be cared for by Govender throughout his stay.

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