A STONE man whose life was saved by sports centre users and staff has backed a St John Ambulance campaign to get more people learning first aid.
Bruce Cartwright, 72, was reunited with staff at Alleyne’s Sports Centre this week who came to his aid when he suffered a heart attack during a badminton game.
He collapsed and stopped breathing during the November 2009 match.
But he was saved by two women, believed to have been off-duty nurses, who were playing on THANK YOU LIFESAVERS: Samuel Cartlidge, Bruce Cartwright, James Riley and Margaret Lockett are reunited at Alleynes Sports Centre.
another court and administered CPR, and sports centre staff Samuel Cartlidge, Margaret Lockett and James Riley, who used the centre’s defibrillator to deliver a shock to his heart before the ambulance arrived.
The three staff members were awarded Chief Officer Commendations by West Midlands Ambulance Service in recognition of their actions.
Mr Cartwright said: ‘The first thing I remember was lying on the floor feeling sick, the next thing I was in an ambulance being taken to Stafford Hospital. I had no warnings and no heart problems beforehand.
“They did lots of tests and it turned out that three of my arteries were 85 per cent blocked, they think this must have shut off the blood to my heart sending it into an abnormal rhythm and I just literally collapsed.
“I had heart bypass surgery the day before New Year’s Eve. I was so fortunate that those two ladies knew first aid and were able to help, and the staff were able to use their defibrillator. Without them that game of badminton might have been my last. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me.” In April St John Ambulance launched a national campaign to encourage people to learn basic first aid skills which could make the difference between life and death.
Research showed that each year 150,000 people die in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live and two thirds of people surveyed would not feel confident trying to save someone’s life.
Mr Cartwright said: “I can’t stress enough how important first aid can be, it really did make the difference between life and death for me.
“I fully support St John Ambulance’s campaign to encourage everyone to learn first aid.” Anyone who would like to learn first aid or know more about courses should contact St John Ambulance on 01785 257124.
