Lifesaver couple from Vienna: father's cardiac arrest defeated!

Lifesaver couple from Vienna: father's cardiac arrest defeated!

A sad incident in Vienna-Penzing caused a stir on July 21, 2025. At around 5 p.m., a 55-year-old father, who was on his way to his daughter's birthday party, collapsed due to a heart attack. Thanks to the quick reaction of a brave couple, his life was saved.

Franziska (20 years old) and Julian (30 years old) were alerted when they registered with the lifesaver app. They didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately went to help. The two survivors needed less than a minute to reach the patient and immediately began chest compressions. This rapid first aid is crucial because every minute without resuscitation significantly reduces the chances of survival.

Technology that saves lives

The lifesaver app is a smartphone-based system that alerts qualified first responders and thus shortens the treatment-free time in the event of a cardiac arrest. The alarm occurs within a radius of 400 meters and enables medically trained first aiders to be at the scene within a very short time. This concept can be crucial for the chances of survival of those affected, because internationally, as well as in Germany, the layperson resuscitation rate is only around 51 percent.

This technology is part of the HEROES study, a research initiative at Freiburg University Hospital that aims to reduce mortality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The German Heart Foundation, which is supporting this project with 47,500 euros, is working to raise public awareness of the topic of resuscitation and to strengthen appropriate measures.

Strong together – local support

After the first aid from Franziska and Julian, several rescue teams, the Vienna fire department and the Vienna police arrived. A defibrillator was also on site within a few minutes. This coordinated operational readiness is of immense importance in order to keep the time until professional medical intervention as short as possible.

The 55-year-old began breathing again twelve minutes after the incident and was flown to the hospital in a critical condition by the Vienna rescue helicopter. Thanks to the courageous efforts of everyone involved, another life was saved.

Rainer Gottwald, the head of the professional rescue service in Vienna, expressed his thanks to the life-saving couple. Your quick actions saved not only a father, but also an entire family from unimaginable trauma.

These events clearly show how important it is to take part in first aid courses and register with apps such as the lifesaver app. With a little preparation, each individual can become a living help and help to significantly reduce the resuscitation-free interval.

For more information about first aid initiatives and the technology behind them, read stories from 5min, German Heart Foundation and Cardiac medicine.