Quick-thinking Max rushes to granddad's aid

When Peter Peace collapsed from a seizure, 5-year-old Max Murphy knew exactly what to do. Photo / Chris Gorman

A quick-thinking 5-year-old boy has used school safety lessons to help save his collapsed grandfather.

Max Murphy was at his grandparents' home in West Auckland when Peter Peace collapsed in the bathroom from a seizure. Young Max ran to a bedroom to call 111, while his grandmother rushed to her husband's aid.

The boy then grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and a small pillow for his 79-year-old grandfather.

He held the phone to his grandmother's ear while she followed the instructions from the emergency call-taker to check her husband was still breathing and his heart was beating.

Max said it had been a bit scary, but he knew what to do.

"I called 111 and I gave Peter an ice pack, got a pillow and I said, 'Peter, can you hear me'," he said.

"I got the ice pack to put on the pillow because he'd hurt his head and needed it."

Max said he waited at the front door of the Glen Eden house for the ambulance and kept out of the way of the paramedics.

"I did have a bit of a cry," he said.

Max didn't see his grandfather collapse, but he heard him from the living room and knew he was in trouble.

Grandmother Jennifer Peace said she was very proud of how her grandson reacted to the situation on May 2. "I didn't have to leap up and down ... it was really pleasing, he took over in his own little way."

Mrs Peace said Max helped her roll her husband over so his airway wasn't blocked. "Then he said, 'He's not purple anymore, Grandma'."

Mrs Peace credited the St John in Schools programme for Max's quick thinking and confidence in the situation. Max and his classmates at Green Bay School had been visited by a St John community educator and their mascot, a miniature ambulance known as "amby". Max said he remembered the visit and learned about the ambulance and when to dial 111.

Susan Lowry, St John's team leader for community educators in Auckland, said she was "blown away" to hear how Max reacted in the situation. "It's really exciting [that the programme] could make a difference."

Mrs Peace and Max are now looking at the possibility of joining a St John youth programme, which Mr Peace, who is recovering from the seizure well, thinks would be perfect for his grandson.

"One of his favourite games is doctors and nurses," Mr Peace said.