But watching a fellow competitor go into cardiac arrest – and having the skills to bring him back to life – takes the term “challenge” to a whole new level. 

But fortunately, young Tamworth man, Mitch Bath, was equipped with the skills needed to save another life. 

And while he might be a second-year doctor at Tamworth hospital, he insists CPR is a skill we can all learn and utilise.

Would you know what to do if you saw someone collapse, and their heart had stopped. 

A staggering 90 per cent of Australians who suffer cardiac arrest do not survive.

But that number could be significantly reduced if we all took the time to learn a life-saving skill – CPR.

Mitch and another training doctor from Queensland performed CPR on the man for about 15 minutes when he collapsed during the Byron Bay triathlon last weekend.

The man had stopped breathing and had no pulse. 

Many of us would panic, but thanks to his CPR knowledge – a skill that those of us not in the medical world can easily learn – he helped save a life. 

A defibrillator arrived at the scene and the man’s pulse returned after the third shock.

While CPR might not have brought the man back to life, it kept the blood and oxygen flowing until the defib and assistance arrived. 

Without CPR, the outcome would have most likely been dramatically different.

Knowing first aid and CPR is a priceless skill we can use anywhere, anytime. 

Many sporting clubs around Tamworth are now equipped with defibs, but learning CPR is an added bonus if one isn’t easily accessible.

You don't need to work in the medical field to know CPR. 

In fact, even school kids are learning the life-saving skill. 

Former Scully Park lifeguard and pool attendant Cameron McFarlane has taught more than 5500 regional children the lesson that could save a life in the past four years alone.

We can all do our bit to help save a life, and that starts with learning first aid and CPR. 

You never know when you might need it.

To find out more, visit www.takeheartaustralia.com.au