An 11-year-old girl with a known heart condition was saved from a cardiac arrest during a school cross-country event in western Sydney, thanks to the quick response of volunteer first responders alerted through an emergency app.

Khushi Shah, a student at Jordan Springs Public School, has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition causing enlargement of the heart muscle. Despite medical concerns, Khushi was allowed to participate in the school’s annual cross-country race after assurances that she could walk instead of running. Her mother, Urvee Somaitya, 41, initially hesitated but relented following her daughter’s insistence.

During the event, Khushi began experiencing chest pain and collapsed mid-race after taking a break. School staff immediately initiated CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) while simultaneously contacting emergency services. The incident triggered alerts through the GoodSAM app, designed to mobilize nearby trained volunteers to respond to suspected cardiac arrests prior to paramedics’ arrival.

Josh Gow, 30, a volunteer with the Rural Fire Service NSW, was near the school dropping off his children when he received the alert. Upon confirming the location, he rushed to the scene and assisted with resuscitation efforts alongside school staff. Thomas Walker, a 21-year-old Surf Life Saving volunteer, also responded to the alert and coordinated with emergency dispatchers, relaying vital information about Khushi’s condition, including the presence of a shockable heart rhythm.

Paramedics Katie Ellis and Geoff Healy arrived swiftly, commending the volunteers’ effective intervention. Healy noted that witnessing Khushi recovered and able to interact was unusual and rewarding, given the critical nature of such emergencies.

Since its 2023 launch, the GoodSAM app has been credited with saving around 130 lives by engaging trained volunteers during cardiac emergencies. Khushi’s case underscores the importance of immediate response and community involvement in improving survival outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest victims.