Auckland girl, 9, saves mum’s life: Daughter performs CPR, comforts younger autistic sibling during ordeal

Maria Salud at Middlemore Hospital after collapsing at home, and (inset) her daughter Sydney, whom Salud credits with saving her life.

A 9-year-old Auckland girl is credited with saving her mother’s life and comforting her two panicked younger siblings after their mum collapsed in the living room.

Maria Salud, of Papatoetoe, said she was gobsmacked when a paramedic told her her daughter Sydney had called 111 and performed CPR under the instructions of a call-taker, all while calming her 3- and 4-year-old siblings, one of whom has autism spectrum disorder.

“She is amazing,” Salud told the Herald.

“The paramedic says if it wasn’t for her, maybe I would be dead already. We want to share this so all families can teach their kids what to do because we never know what can happen.”

Maria Salud of Papatoetoe with her children Sydney Salud (centre), 9, and two younger children.

Sydney spoke to the Herald about her heroics, saying she was extremely worried about her mother and could not help but cry as the drama unfolded.

“My mother fell and she hit the floor,” the Year 4 pupil said.

“I tried to wake her up but she wouldn’t respond to me.

“I felt worried.

“I was going to call 111, but before I called, my uncle called and my father was with him. He was shocked when I told him that my mother felt dizzy and that she had hit the floor. Then he said he was on his way, so I called the ambulance,” she said.

Sydney Salud, 9, of Papatoetoe, saved her mum's life when she collapsed by calling the ambulance and starting chest compressions.

“The lady [the call-taker] said that I should kind of pump between her nipples. I was worried, but I lay her on her back just like she said so.

“My father came and he saw my mother being tested by the paramedics. He was sad and was asking the paramedics if she was okay.

“I started crying.

“Then when I saw my mother being carried into the ambulance, I was worried and sad.”

Maria Salud’s husband had only just left for work and she had finished cooking breakfast when she suddenly started to feel dizzy on Saturday, October 12.

Maria Salud at Middlemore Hospital after collapsing at home and being given CPR by her 9-year-old daughter Sydney.

She said she had no recollection of what happened next.

“When I woke up, my daughter was on my chest doing compressions while talking to emergency hotline personnel. I want to recognise what she did and how brave she is.”

Salud was taken to Middlemore Hospital and was discharged the next day. She was diagnosed with having had a syncopal episode, randomly fainting. The cause, however, remains a mystery, according to her discharge notes.

The Herald approached Hato Hone St John for comment but they were unable to respond before deadline.

Police have resources for teaching children how to use 111, advising kids to “stay calm, speak slowly and clearly, give your address and phone number, answer all questions and follow all instructions, stay on the line until the operator tells you it’s okay to hang up”.

Emergency physician Dr John Bonning told the Herald about the importance of parents teaching their children the 111 emergency line number – because a lot of kids may get it confused with the American number 911.

He added that children in a similar situation could check for dangers, check for responsiveness and shout for help.

“We teach doctors ABC (Airway, Breathing and CPR) ... and that’s probably for somebody with a bit more medical nous and first aid training, so doing first aid courses are really good. It teaches you that basic approach,” Bonning said.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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