Wednesday 17th September 2014 – 4.40pm – Claire Brown.
A man who suffered a cardiac arrest whilst playing squash in Wolverhampton last night was given the best chance of survival by people who didn’t think twice about giving CPR a go.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to The Bert Williams Leisure Centre, Nettlefolds Way, Bilston shortly before 7.45pm last night (Wednesday). An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer, a HART paramedic and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The man in his 60s had reportedly collapsed whilst playing a game of squash at the leisure centre. Quick thinking members of the public and staff immediately dialled 999 before starting CPR.
“Staff grabbed the centre’s automated external defibrillator, a device used to help restart the heart, and delivered three shocks. When ambulance staff arrived, they were greeted by a patient who had been successfully resuscitated and praised the remarkable actions of the bystanders.
“The man, who had a pulse and was breathing by himself, was given further emergency treatment by medics before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to New Cross Hospital.”
MERIT Trauma Doctor Jon Hulme, said: “Quite a lot of people freeze when faced with circumstances such as this but, actually, it was the complete opposite here. The bystanders quickly recognised the man was in cardiac arrest and started CPR and used the defibrillator straight away.
“A significant number of people who survive after a cardiac arrest sustain some brain damage in the first few minutes of stopping breathing if resuscitation is delayed; starting CPR early is vital. This gentleman has got a good chance of recovering because of their actions, they did a truly fantastic job.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor: The patient is continuing to receive emergency treatment in hospital today.
Well Done to all STAFF who performed CPR and the effective use of the AED … Proud as punch