For Peter Corr, the 12th of September 2019 started like any other day, however, during an early morning run Peter suffered an out of hospital cardiac arrest, that statistically should have ended his life.
However, thanks to the swift actions of Melissa Williams, 4 and a half years on, Peter and Melissa have been able to recount what they call ‘that day’ in Peter’s family home, which he shares with his wife and three children, in Telford.
Statistically, less than 8% of out of hospital cardiac arrest patients survive to the point of hospital discharge. This is because for every minute where CPR and defibrillation isn’t commenced, chances of survival drop by 10%.
After seeing Peter stumble and fall to the ground, Melissa rushed to be by Peter’s side and immediately provided life-saving CPR. This gave Peter the best chance of survival, as it meant Melissa was able provide basic-life support until the ambulance crews arrived.
During their most recent reunion, something which they do regularly, Melissa said: “I was able to go to the hospital a couple of days after Pete’s cardiac arrest. Meeting Pete’s wife and children made me realise the gravity of what I had done.
“I was able to give his wife her husband back, as well as the kids their dad back. He gets to watch his children grow up and one day walk his daughters down the aisle and that’s something I think about often.”
While Peter has no recollection of his cardiac arrest, he was keen to share the importance of immediate basic life-support, adding: “The interventions of Melissa providing basic life-support is undoubtably what saved my life, she really has given me life part two.”
“It’s so incredibly important to register community AEDs on The Circuit so West Midlands Ambulance Service can see where the nearest AED is to the cardiac arrest, it’s so simple to do and you never know whose life you might be saving.”
Melissa added, ““In my case the Call Assessor was able to instruct another bystander to an AED. I really would encourage anyone, that if you ever find yourself in that situation, the best thing you can do is give it a go. Doing something is better than nothing, I’m glad I did and feel privileged I get to witness Pete’s life as it is today.”
Elena Lewis – 16th April 2024 – 12.00pm.