Doug Biggs, centre, with the soldiers who saved his life – BSM WO1 Ray Keuning, left, Cpl Neil Reeves and OC AAB Brisbane Maj Patrick Pickett. Photo provided by AAB Brisbane

Drama on stage

Bandies drop instruments during concert to keep man alive

By Cpl Mick Lee
MUSICIANS from AAB Brisbane have been credited with saving a man’s life during a concert at the Nambour Civic Centre on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast recently.

Doug Biggs, a prominent Nambour local, was in the process of thanking the band during their Best of the Proms charity concert when he began to stumble.

He then collapsed on stage and was caught by OC Maj Patrick Pickett and Sgt Paulo Felix Almeida.

Upon realising what had happened, BSM WO1 Ray Keuning took control of the situation.

After realising that Mr Biggs had stopped breathing, WO1 Keuning, with the assistance of Cpl Neil Reeves, Maj Pickett, Sgt Felix Almeida and two members of the audience, carried Mr Biggs to the foyer of the theatre.

A doctor in the audience came forward and checked Mr Biggs vital signs and declared that he had no pulse and was not breathing.

Cpl Reeves commenced CPR while WO1 Keuning began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Approximately 10 minutes after Mr Biggs collapsed, an ambulance crew arrived.

After receiving two shocks from a defibrillator there was still no response from Mr Biggs – Cpl Reeves recommenced CPR while a member of the ambulance crew applied bag ventilation.

Mr Biggs was then given an injection of adrenalin, which saw a slight change in his condition.

WO1 Keuning then took over from Cpl Reeves and Mr Biggs was administered a second injection of adrenalin.

WO1 Keuning continued CPR until he felt a heartbeat.

Mr Biggs was still unconscious and remained on a ventilation bag when he was wheeled to the ambulance and transferred to Nambour Hospital where he was diagnosed as having suffered a cardiac arrest.

After spending 11 days in hospital, Mr Biggs was released.

He has since had a permanent electronic defibrillator inserted that will activate in the event of any future problems.

Mr Biggs, who has no recollection of the evening at all, was extremely grateful and acknowledged that without the assistance and quick thinking of WO1 Keuning and Cpl Reeves he probably would not be alive today.

“These guys are my saviours. I will be eternally grateful for the care and attention these Army boys attended to me,” he said after hosting a morning tea for the AAB-Brisbane members.

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