Case Study: Lucy - "I gave my son CPR and tried my hardest to save his life"

In March 2023, just weeks after giving birth to twins, Lucy found herself balancing life at home with regular visits to the neonatal intensive care unit. 

Both babies had required specialist care after birth. Sammie was discharged after nine days, while his twin sister remained in hospital, meaning Lucy and her family were travelling back and forth to visit her whilst also caring for their other children.

One night, just after 2am, Lucy woke unexpectedly. When she looked at Sammie, she immediately realised something was wrong. Sammie was blue, his hands were cold and his lips had changed colour. He wasn't breathing. 

Recognising that he was unresponsive and knowing the signs of a cardiac arrest, Lucy immediately started CPR (giving rescue breaths and chest compressions) and saved her baby's life. 

Reflecting on that night, Lucy says she was driven by instinct: “I gave him CPR and tried my hardest to save my baby” Although others have described her actions as heroic, Lucy doesn't see herself that way.

Lucy hopes that by sharing her story, more people will understand the importance of learning CPR for babies and children. A cardiac arrest can happen without warning - recognising it has happened and knowing how to respond in those first critical moments can make a difference. 

For Lucy, learning CPR has become a message she wants others to hear. She knows first-hand that these skills are not only for healthcare professionals - they are skills that anyone can learn and may one day need to use to help someone they love.

Aaron's Heart, originally launched in 2023, has now been updated with the latest recommendations following the publication of the 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines. This update ensures all parents and carers have the latest, evidence-based information on how to give any baby or child their best chance of survival.