Girl, 9, who saved her mum’s life by giving CPR for 20 minutes hailed a hero

A young girl who saved her mum’s life by performing CPR for nearly 20 minutes has been hailed a hero.

Charli Johnson, nine, called paramedics when her mum collapsed at home, and took instructions down the phone that the emergency dispatcher says proved crucial to keeping her mum alive.

And now Charli – who has been given an award for her bravery and composure – says she wants to be a paramedic herself when she grows up.

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When Sharon Johnson fainted at home in Helensvale, Queensland, last month, Charli knew immediately what to do, reports ABC News.

"I checked if she was awake and still breathing, and I went and called triple-0 [the Aussie equivalent of 999]," she said.

During the call to the ambulance service, Charli can be heard telling dispatcher Anne Barklimore that her mum has stopped breathing.

"She just kneeled to the ground and she just fainted," Charli said.

"Is she awake?" Ms Barklimore asked.

"No, I don't think so. I think she's just stopped breathing.”

Anne then started directing Charli to do chest compressions, which lasted for about 17 minutes.

"Listen carefully, I will tell you how to do resuscitation," Anne said.

After Anne explained how to perform CPR, they counted the pumps together over the phone.

"I need you to keep doing the compressions over and over, don't give up. One, two, three, four – that's the speed you're going, Charli. You're doing a great job," she said.

"You are doing such a good job Charli, and that you knew to call triple-0, I am so proud of you … and your mum is going to be so proud of you."

Eventually, Sharon can be heard crying when she wakes up – and now Charli has been given an award by the Queensland Ambulance Service.

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"She saved her mum's life that day," said Anne.

"She answered the questions calmly and directly – that's so important.

"I was proud. As a mother, I just thought, 'she's nine and she doesn't know what's happened to her mum'.

"She held it together. So many older people don't have that composure – it was quite surprising."

An emotional Sharon said she was "very proud" of her daughter, although she added: "She's a bit of a ratbag at home, so she did surprise me."

Charli said she now wants to be a paramedic so she can teach other kids how to do CPR.

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