By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
TEN minutes was the difference between life and death for mother of two Krystal Thompson when she suffered an anaphylactic reaction to medication.
“I was told if Chantel hadn’t made the call within 10 minutes of it coming on, because of its severity, I could have died there and then, my lungs were at 15 per cent capacity,” Krystal said.
But with some quick thinking from nine-year-old Chantel Thompson and the help of her younger sister Taylor, an ambulance arrived just in time.
“Mum and dad had taught me to call triple zero as a toddler, but that was the first time I’d had to call,” Chantel said.
The call was made in March 2014, and on Wednesday 13 May 2015 Chantel and Taylor were awarded at the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) Triple Zero Hero ceremony.
An emotional mum Krystal said Chantel impressed her with her confidence during the phone call.
“It was the first time I had heard the call at the award ceremony, and I was so emotional, it’s something you never want your children to have to witness but the fact they were both so brave, and Chantel didn’t even let on that she was scared, I’m very proud of them,” Krystal said.
After noticing her mum was having breathing problems, Chantel used the mobile phone to call triple zero.
“Mum was cooking dinner and then started holding her chest, she was in and out of consciousness,” Chantel said.
Six-year-old Taylor called her dad, Brett and nan and poppy on the house phone.
“Mum told me to call and I know nan’s phone number off by heart, we went to nan’s for dinner and stayed the night – it was the first time I’d ever seen an ambulance,” Taylor said.
The operator stayed on the phone to Chantel until the ambulance arrived at their Cranbourne home.
“She told me to do the breath test and say every time mum breathed, and she told me the sirens were on and that the ambulance was coming,” Chantel said.
“They are my two little heroes,” Krystal said.
