Cowes resident Michael Austin-Smith has today (Monday) been reunited with the Community First Responder that helped save his life following a cardiac arrest back in June 2015.
Over 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrests outside of hospital in the UK every year, with just a 5% chance of survival – but those odds were increased for Michael thanks to the quick response by Jeff Butt, a volunteer community first responder of 12 years.
On 20th June 2015 Michael collapsed at home in front of his wife, Stephanie. An ambulance was called for and Stephanie, a former nurse, started CPR. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Jeff had begun his 1.5 mile journey to the Austin-Smith’s home armed with a defibrillator.
If CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) is given and a defibrillator reaches the patient within the first 3 minutes then chance of survival can go up to as much as 74%. On this occasion, thanks to the immediate CPR and the community first responder scheme, Michael is still with us to once again thank Jeff and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service for their efforts.
Unfortunately, there are too many occasions where people do not stand a chance of survival due to lack of CPR training in the community or a defibrillator not being nearby. Without a question, having Community First Responders (CFR) and trained first aiders in our community really does mean the difference between life and death.
Michael’s story is being shared on European Restart a Heart Day to raise awareness of the importance of life-saving skills. Today, Island residents are being invited to join the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Training & Community Response Services (ATCoRS) and the Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service to learn how to save lives.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend free drop in sessions from 15:00-17:00 at the following Fire stations (with everyone receiving a certificate as proof of training): Ventnor; Newport; East Cowes; Yarmouth and Ryde.
Local school pupils in Years 6, 7 and 11 have also been invited to learn CPR and gain defibrillator awareness today at fire stations across the Island. The pupils have been asked to wear red in support of Restart a Heart day and collect donations for the Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Community Defibrillator scheme.
To locate your nearest defibrillator visit https://www.heartsafe.org.uk/AED-Locations.
