Last year 61-year-old Chris Thomas suffered a major sudden cardiac arrest at his home in Mossman; exactly one year later he was able to meet and thank the Ambos who saved his life.

However, the actions that helped lead to Chris’ miraculous recovery began before the paramedics arrived when his wife Karen Renouf-Thomas jumped into action, calling Triple Zero, following the dispatcher’s instructions and performing lifesaving CPR.

Paramedics, including Critical Care, arrived quickly and continued resuscitation, delivering three shocks via the defibrillator before intubating Chris.

Against all odds, Chris' heart began beating again and he was transported to Mossman Hospital in a critical condition.

Chris and Karen met with the paramedics and emergency dispatcher from that day at the Mossman Ambulance Station on Wednesday, where paramedics credited the early CPR started by Karen as the difference between life and death.

“He just collapsed before my eyes onto the couch,” said Karen, recounting the events of that day.

“He stopped breathing, he had no pulse, so I called Triple Zero, and followed what the responder said. I don’t remember much of those words except that I knew that I had to start CPR. So, I pounded his chest and waited for the team to come and help me."

As Chris was on the couch, Karen was unable to move him to a flat surface, so she had to deliver CPR while he was sitting up.

“It was like a nightmare; I was in shock and the adrenaline just kicked in.

“I believed that he was dead at that point.

“He was in a bad way.”

Listen to Karen's Triple Zero call below. Audio: Supplied.

On the other end of the Triple Zero call was QAS Medical Emergency Dispatcher, Karen Beattie, who coached Karen through what to do.

“Karen was a really good caller she listened to all the instructions and followed them and that helps tremendously,” she said.

“Even if you don’t know CPR, listen so that we can do the job together.”

Chris suffered a major heart attack and a hypoxic brain injury, was in the ICU for four weeks and underwent months of extensive rehabilitation in hospital.

“It has been a very hard year,” Karen said.

“There was one point about three days in when we thought we would have to pull Chris off life support because he was critical and making no response.

“He has come a long long way, he is amazing 12 months later, I am really proud of him.”

Making the first anniversary that much more emotional was Chris being able to attend his son’s wedding the day before.

“Our son got married yesterday so he was able to have his dad drive him to his wedding so that was just really good,” Karen said.

“I am very grateful.”

Early CPR can be the difference between life and death

Advanced Care Paramedic, James Ferguson, was one of the paramedics who arrived at Chris and Karen’s home that day.

“It was actually my first day here at Mossman station,” he said.

“To be honest cases like this are quite rare, particularly in Chris’ case where he has made such a remarkable recovery, it is quite amazing to see how far he has come.

“Chris’ case is a real testament to early CPR and how learning first aid is just crucial.

“It is really what makes the job all worth it at the end of the day coming in now and seeing Chris.”

Ms Beattie agreed, saying as a Dispatcher she often doesn’t find out how the case ends.

“It is really lovely to see them because as a call taker we never know, we just take the call and send the ambulance and we don’t often hear anything, unless we follow up, which I did that day.

“It was fabulous to hear that they had got his heart started again.”

Chris remembers very little of the event that changed his life but is extremely grateful to the QAS team and his wife for saving his life.

“She is a keeper. I am really thankful she saved my life," he said.

"And I am just so thankful that they (paramedics) were there."