Boy, 12, Revived After Collapsing Unresponsive in Israeli Mall

A 12-year-old boy who collapsed and lost consciousness in a store at the Ayalon Mall in central Israel on Thursday was revived thanks to the swift actions of emergency responders. The boy was found without a pulse or breathing, prompting a rapid response from Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national emergency medical service.

An MDA volunteer, Meir Azulai, arrived at the scene within approximately two minutes of the emergency call. He immediately began CPR and administered two electric shocks using a defibrillator he carried. Following the shocks, the boy's heart resumed beating, and he gradually regained consciousness.

Paramedics continued treatment, and the child was transported to Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva. MDA reported that the boy was in stable condition and conscious upon arrival at the hospital. The cause of his sudden collapse is currently unknown, and he is expected to undergo further medical tests to determine the circumstances.

MDA emphasized that the quick arrival of the volunteer and the immediate use of the defibrillator were critical factors in saving the boy's life. The organization also noted that cardiac arrest can occur without warning, even in children, though it is relatively rare. They stressed the importance of immediately calling emergency services, starting chest compressions, and using a defibrillator if available in such situations, as rapid intervention significantly increases survival chances.