The parents of a young boy who survived a cardiac arrest while at a Sydney dance class have made an impassioned plea to stop similar cases turning tragic.
Cooper Appleyard was practicing for an end of year concert when he collapsed at the Sylvania Heights community centre on Monday.
While the eight-year-old is now in a stable condition, the ‘naturally energetic’ and ‘healthy’ boy’s heart stopped, causing him to be rushed to hospital.
The parents of eight-year-old Cooper Appleyard (pictured), who survived a cardiac arrest while at a Sydney dance class on Monday, have made an impassioned plea to stop similar cases turning tragic
‘Apparently he landed the barani (an aerial flip) and then the teacher looked away and someone yelled out to him, “Cooper’s collapsed”,’ his mother Kylie told 7News.
Doctor’s at the Children’s hospital where Cooper was taken said the quick actions of a nearby nurse who started CPR likely led to his survival.
‘We owe her our son’s life and we owe all the rescue workers his life,’ the young boy’s father John said.
‘You don’t think it’s going to happen to you at all, or anyone in your family.’
While the eight-year-old is now in a stable condition, the ‘naturally energetic’ and ‘healthy’ boy’s heart stopped following an aerobatic move, his mum Kylie (pictured) said
While Cooper’s dad John (pictured) said they owed their son’s life to the quick-thinking actions of a nearby nurse who started CPR
Following the distressing incident, Cooper’s parents have urged other families to remain vigilant.
They have also thrown their support behind the introduction of defibrillators in sporting venues and clubs.
‘We’ve actually had a defibrillator donated to the dance school this morning by the Mark Arcuri Foundation,’ John said.
The foundation was established after 15-year-old Marc Acuri died following a cardiac arrest while playing soccer in 2014.
Following the distressing incident, Cooper’s parents have urged other families to remain vigilant, as well as thrown their support behind defibrillators in sporting venues
Mr Appleyard revealed that the Marc Arcuri Foundation had donated one of the life-saving devices to the community centre following the incident
It has so far raised more than $100,000 since its creation and helped distribute more than 50 of the life-saving devices in New South Wales.
On their Facebook page Tuesday, the group said Mr Appleyard had gone to ‘great lengths to secure a defibrillator’ two years ago for one of Slyvania’s football clubs.
‘Wishing Cooper a speedy recovery… Our mates at the NSW Branch of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia will be delivering the defib ASAP,’ they wrote.
Cooper is expected to make a full recovery.
On their Facebook page Tuesday, the foundation wished Cooper ‘a speedy recovery’ and promised the NSW Branch of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia would be delivering the machine soon