Wednesday 29th July 2015 – 9.40am – Chris Kowalik.
A defibrillator from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford was used by a third-year medical student on a rower who suffered a suspected heart attack and then a cardiac arrest.
It happened near the theatre and West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly after 8pm, sending an advanced community paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance crew and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The man, who is believed to be in his fifties, became unwell in his boat which then capsized and he was submerged.
Other rowers got him out of the water and dragged him to the side. When our crews arrived, the medical student had used the defibrillator from the theatre and was giving CPR.
“Crews then administered advanced life support and he was sedated by the air ambulance doctor before being flown to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and its awaiting trauma team.
“It’s another example of why we want as many defibrillators in public places as possible.”
Ends