Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Queensland Section aircraft on scene responding to a patient suffering a heart attack in a remote area.

Heart attacks are the #1 REASON we fly across Queensland.

The Flying Doctor can keep a heart beating on the ground and in the air… But only with your help

Heart attacks are the #1 REASON we fly across Queensland.

The Flying Doctor can keep a heart beating on the ground and in the air… But only with your help

Craig was volunteering at a charity car rally when he collapsed.  

Craig had suffered a massive heart attack and gone into cardiac arrest on a remote cattle station—1,000km away from Townsville University Hospital and the emergency care he urgently needed. 

“I dropped down dead,” he says. “I don’t even remember hitting the ground.”  

The Flying Doctor needs to move fast to keep hearts beating on the ground and in the sky.  

Please donate to help equip RFDS crews with specialist cardiac equipment so they’re ready to save the lives of people like Craig. 

Craig had felt uncomfortable for a few days. He thought he had heartburn but that wasn’t going to stop him volunteering, as he had several times before.  

He was looking forward to doing something worthwhile and being with his mates—not knowing they were going to help save his life. 

For 30 minutes, a team of volunteer medics (many of whom knew Craig) gave him CPR after he collapsed. During that time, an RFDS crew raced to reach him, knowing every second counts.  

When the Flying Doctor touched down, Craig had a pulse, but he was still in danger. He had a full artery blockage. RFDS Medical Officer, Dr Andrew Bai, administered a powerful clot-busting drug. Because Craig wasn’t out of the woods yet—he was at risk of another, devastating heart attack. 

Craig was in the skies when his heart stopped for a second time, but thankfully he was in the care of the Flying Doctor. Having stabilised him, the crew arranged for Craig to be flown to Townsville University Hospital with lights and sirens, where the cardiac team was ready to see him. Within minutes of arriving, he had a stent inserted. 

Craig’s heart had stopped for close to 30 minutes in outback Australia. He not only survived—he made a complete recovery. 

Your support is urgently needed to provide the Flying Doctor’s aeromedical crews with life-saving specialist cardiac equipment – donate now. 

A heart attack can happen out of the blue, especially if symptoms are missed or misinterpreted. When someone’s life is on the line in the outback, RFDS crews need to be in the skies within minutes. 

Craig was more than 13 hours by road from Townsville University Hospital when his heart stopped. Thankfully, there were trained medics to give him CPR and bring him back, but his life was still in grave danger. 

With your help, RFDS crews can fly out fast in an emergency. As RFDS Medical Officer, Dr Andrew explains, our crews give their all. 

“When you work for the Flying Doctor, you have to keep your skills at the highest level at all times. Any day you could be called on to give your very best performance in adverse surroundings.” 

In the heart of the outback—in the skies and on the ground—the Flying Doctor can keep a heart beating. But our crews need your help.  

A whole range of equipment was used to keep Craig alive, from a defibrillator to a cardiac monitor and a powerful clot-busting medication. 

Please make an urgent donation today to help RFDS crews fly out fast, equipped with the medication, supplies and equipment to save lives. 

A heart attack can happen out of the blue, especially if symptoms are missed or misinterpreted. When someone’s life is on the line in the outback, RFDS crews need to be in the skies within minutes. 

Craig was more than 13 hours by road from Townsville University Hospital when his heart stopped. Thankfully, there were trained medics to give him CPR and bring him back, but his life was still in grave danger. 

With your help, RFDS crews can fly out fast in an emergency. As RFDS Medical Officer, Dr Andrew explains, our crews give their all. 

“When you work for the Flying Doctor, you have to keep your skills at the highest level at all times. Any day you could be called on to give your very best performance in adverse surroundings.” 

In the heart of the outback—in the skies and on the ground—the Flying Doctor can keep a heart beating. But our crews need your help.  

A whole range of equipment was used to keep Craig alive, from a defibrillator to a cardiac monitor and a powerful clot-busting medication. 

Please make an urgent donation today to help RFDS crews fly out fast, equipped with the medication, supplies and equipment to save lives. 

Please send a gift that will help RFDS crews fly out fast, equipped with the medication, supplies and equipment to save lives. 

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