In a dramatic turn of events, a group of colleagues and long-time friends on the tennis court saved the life of an A&E doctor who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a match.
This incredible incident underscores the importance of timely medical intervention, effective teamwork, and the life-saving power of knowing basic first aid skills, especially CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
A Doctor’s Worst Nightmare: Cardiac Arrest on the Court
Having been friends for over 20 years, this day was just another ordinary, weekly tennis session. It was Dr Christopher Wong's off day, while the other three had shifts scheduled in the later part of the day.
Disaster struck mid-game. Dr. Wong started feeling dizzy, and collapsed unexpectedly on the court.
Dr Sohil Pothiawala and Adjunct Associate Professor Amila Punyadasa immediately stepped up and administered CPR, while Adjunct Associate Professor Kenneth Heng ran to find an AED as a nearby condominium.
Dr Sohil said of the incident: “I didn’t feel a pulse, and I couldn’t believe it... (It’s) so sudden, with a friend on the court.”
In such cases, survival depends heavily on the promptness of medical intervention. Immediate action is crucial, as brain damage can occur within minutes if the heart stops pumping.
Thankfully for Dr. Wong, his colleagues were not just ordinary players, but trained healthcare professionals who knew exactly how to act. With their quick response, they used the AED on him and continued CPR until emergency services arrived.
After a few minutes of medical attention, Dr Wong regained consciousness.
Dr Wong said: “I was in a dream state where I was asking myself if I had had a nap. I would suddenly see people pressing my chest and saying, ‘Are you okay, mate?’”
CPR and AED Training Can Save Lives
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of first-aid training for anyone who might find themselves in a similar emergency situation.
Many public spaces, such as sports facilities, HDB void decks and office buildings, are now equipped with AEDs to ensure that help is available in emergencies.
The more people who are trained to administer emergency first aid, the greater the chances of saving a life.
A Heartfelt Thanks
For Dr. Wong, the experience was a profound reminder of how fragile life can be, but also how powerful human action and collaboration can be in the face of life-threatening situations.
His colleagues’ prompt and professional response undoubtedly saved his life, as well as their expert knowledge of CPR and AED first aid.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a team of trained professionals, Dr. Wong's story has a happy ending.
But it also reminds us that we should all be prepared to act in a similar situation and make every effort to learn life-saving skills that could one day make all the difference.
Watch the full interview below:
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