Friday 7th November 2014 – 9.00am – Murray MacGregor.
The importance of knowing CPR and being prepared to use that knowledge has given a man the best possible chance of survival after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the wheel of his car.
The combined actions of an off duty nurse and ambulance staff resulted in the man breathing on his own when he arrived at the A&E Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Ashill Road in Rednal, Birmingham at 5.45pm on Thursday afternoon to reports of a two car collision.
An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived, they found two cars that both had front end damage.
“They were told that one car had coasted across the road and that the collision was at slow speed.
“In one vehicle they found a man of approximately 60 years who was in cardiac arrest and an off duty nurse carrying out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Ambulance staff took over and gave the man advanced life support. Thankfully the combined actions resulted in the man starting to breathe for himself.
“They continued to care for him as he was taken on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham where medics were on standby for his arrival.
“Whilst the man still has a long way to go, he has been given the chance of life by someone being prepared to carry out CPR.
“Once again, this demonstrates just how important it is that everyone learns how to do CPR and has a knowledge of basic first aid.
“If it had not been for the actions of the nurse in those first few seconds, the man would almost certainly have died; now he has been given the best possible chance of survival.
“Surely, everyone should have the knowledge and be willing to do the same?”
The man driving the other car was assessed at the scene by ambulance staff and was discharged.
Ends