Staff Member Saves a Life!
Published on 19 June 2023 03:06 PM
We recently discovered that a member of our staff administered CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and saved a life.
We came about the information by chance and wish to give recognition to the staff member, who previously was too modest to tell us about her actions. We are delighted that she agrees to sharing her story so that the importance of First Aid training, particularly CPR, can be highlighted and the public encouraged to find out more. Any one of us could potentially save a life or be unfortunate and need someone to save our own life.
WELL DONE, to Carol Cook our Sharing Time and Telephone Befriending Team Leader.
In summary, Carol performed CPR for approx. 15mins until help arrived, on a fellow runner at the club/sports centre she attends. The gentleman appeared ‘dead’ and didn’t revive for approx. 35minutes! Incredibly he made a full recovery after 6 weeks of rehabilitation and 2 heart stents fitted.
Carol received a certificate of recognition from Werrington Neighbourhood Council on 6th June.
Carol told us that she ‘did it on adrenaline’. Her full account is below.
"On Tuesday 28th February I arrived at my local Running Club, as usual and was discussing how far to run when I was suddenly called over to an incident in my capacity as a First Aider. I initially thought that someone had fallen over and may need a sterile dressing but arrived at the scene to see a fellow club mate collapsed on the floor unconscious and not breathing.
I was obviously quite shocked at the scene before me, but my instinct and training quickly kicked in and I immediately checked for vital signs and assessed that his heart was not beating, and he would need CPR. I was able to get another member of staff to fetch the Defibrillator that was located nearby and started CPR whilst my fellow runners called for an ambulance and offered support. I remained as calm as possible and administered CPR along with ‘shocks’ from the Defibrillator for around 15 minutes until the paramedics arrived and were ready to take over. Thankfully, the gentleman’s heart started beating again after about 35 minutes following the paramedics administering some drugs, he was rushed to Papworth Hospital where he had an emergency operation to have a stent fitted. Amazingly, by 10.15 pm he was sat upright in his hospital bed talking to his wife.
The man was discharged on the Friday with a cut to his head and two broken ribs, but otherwise in good health. I heard the ribs crack as I gave the CPR but my training had warned me this could happen and to always continue, breaking ribs were a sign of delivering CPR correctly. Both the paramedics and consultant said that without CPR being administered so quickly, it could have been a very different outcome. After his rehabilitation sessions he hopes to be back running with us again soon.
As a volunteer Athletic Coach, I am First Aid trained, but prior to this incident I had recently facilitated and attended three CPR and Defibrillator training sessions for our Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Volunteers. The training is delivered by The East Anglia Air Ambulance Service who not only speak about how to carry out lifesaving procedures, but also give everyone the opportunity to practice using a real defibrillator and a mannequin in a non-pressure environment.
For me, this training really was lifesaving!”
Carol has since organised three training sessions for our volunteers, and so far over 40 AUKCAP volunteers have received CPR and defibrillator training (photograph at one of the events).
Carol hopes that sharing her story will encourage people to learn how to give this life saving emergency treatment.
The East Anglian Air Ambulance Training offer free CPR and defibrillator training sessions to Businesses, groups, and communities within our region. (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire).
The sessions are roughly 1 hour long and can take up to 30 people per session, although they can do numerous sessions back-to-back in any one day, minimum 6 people per session.
The sessions cover the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack. How to recognise a cardiac arrest, calling emergency services, starting CPR and using a community defibrillator.
Please visit their website for full details Booking Enquiry | East Anglian Air Ambulance (eaaa.org.uk) or If you belong to a group that would find the training useful, please contact info@eaaa.org.uk 03450 669 999