That was the case when then-13-year old Praneel Kumar collapsed in the art room at Kaniva School on December 2, 2020 suffering a cardiac arrest. .

Now, after reuniting with the paramedics and staff who saved his life, Praneel is keen to spread the word of how his life was saved.

But a year ago, he was just another student at Kaniva College, albeit a high achiever.

Praneel's teacher, Jess Carter, described the moment the day took a turn for the worst.

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"He just dropped... he was just talking to me, he said 'I hope you know first aid" and then he just dropped, it was insane," she said.

"After about twenty seconds I sent the kids out."

Ms Carter said it was a moment she hopes she never had to relive again, a sentiment shared by Praneel's mother, Rita Kumar.

Ms Kumar and her husband rushed to the school upon hearing Praneel had had a fall.

"There was blood everywhere; he had blood on his face from when he fell down," she said.

"I was in shock, I started crying because I couldn't work out what was happening."

Ms Kumar said the staff at Kaniva College were incredibly supportive during the ordeal.

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"The assistant principal was comforting me in the next room... they just kept saying he's not responding, he's not responding and then finally yes, he is responding."

"It was a very traumatic time."

Doctors still aren't completely sure of what caused the cardiac arrest, and Praneel has been fitted with a pacemaker/defibrillator to regulate his heart in case of any future episodes.

But to Praneel himself, it shows the importance of CPR and easy access to AEDs - automatic external defibrillators - is to surviving a cardiac arrest.

"The more (AEDs) you have, the more of a chance you have," he said, adding that Kaniva was leading the way when it came to the practice.

"We've got eight in town, and we're a town of less than two thousand."

Triple Zero call-taker from the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, Lara Connor, was on the other end of the phone that day, and said it was an emotional experience.

"It was pretty emotional, particularly being someone so young... I have a son his age myself."

Ms Connor made the trip up from Ballarat to reunite with Praneel, and said she feels privileged to take part in the event as Triple Zero workers aren't always included in reunions.

"It all went really well. It can be easy to forget about the good outcomes," she said.

"Luckily, we had people on the scene who had the experience and knowledge to do what needed to be done."

"They were all really perceptive in giving me the information I needed to pass on."

One such person in the right place at the right time was the school's business officer - Leonie Shurdington.

Ms Shurdington is also an AV ambulance community officer (ACO), and was on her way out of the school when she ran into students in the corridor just outside the art room.

"I was just heading home for lunch, when one of the kids came and found me," she said.

"If I was called an hour later, who knows what would have happened... the stars aligned."

In another stroke of fortune another off-duty ACO arrived on the scene not long after; Stacey Wallis-Rabone.

Ms Wallis-Rabone appeared on the scene after fearing it was her own nephew who was unresponsive.

Together, Ms Shurdington and Ms Wallis-Rabone took control of the situation, aided by Ms Connor over the phone.

From there, everything that could go right did; the right people were in the right place, and access to an AED meant that Praneel was able to reunite with the team almost a year later.

"Everything was in his favour," Ms Wallis-Rabone said.

Eight different units responded to the call, including a helicopter from Warrnambool that landed on the school's oval to take Praneel to Melbourne.

Praneel was, in his own words, beyond grateful for the team that helped save his life.

"To sum it up, I don't think, even within my extensive vocabulary, there are words to describe how grateful I am for you all," he said.

"Without the support of the paramedics, teachers, ACOs and everyone here, I wouldn't be here; no two ways about it."

Praneel had been itching to gather everyone involved earlier, but COVID-19 restrictions meant he had to wait.

But it was worth it, for the now-14 year old.

The experience has left a lasting impact on the precocious teen; Praneel said he would like to pursue a career as a paramedic.

While work isn't unfamiliar to Praneel - he works three jobs already - he said there was only one career for him.

"There would be no job as good as being a paramedic," he said.

"You save lives."

Since the accident Praneel has been fitted with a pace maker/ defibrillator and has had to cut back on some parts of his life - such as sport, but it hasn't dented his spirit.