Another Herefordshire Heartstart attendee Mr Dennis Downey from Leominster has used his Heartstart skills to help save a man’s life. Mr Downey was inside a building when he saw the gentleman collapse and become unconscious.
Dennis swiftly checked his airway and breathing and placed him into the recovery position. He dialled 999 and waited with the man until the paramedics arrived. Before they arrived the man became conscious, but was very confused. The paramedics carried out an ecg and thought he was having a heart attack.
Loraine Coleman, Co-ordinator/Project Manager from Herefordshire Heartstart said:-
“Had it not been for Dennis, the outcome for this man may have been very different.” Dennis told me “he didn’t think he’d done much!”
“However Dennis’s simple actions of calling 999 and placing him into the recovery position, bought the man time until the emergency services arrived and prevented him from going into cardiac arrest!”
“This is a basic principle of Heartstart and the Chain of Survival, ie acting promptly in a life threatening emergency, making the casualty safe and getting that call in early to the emergency services.”
Dennis is a walk leader for the Herefordshire Walking Festivals and had attended a Heartstart course organised by Herefordshire Heartstart for local walk leaders.
“We hope that this story will encourage others to come on a Heartstart Course, it can give them the skills and confidence to step in and help in an emergency, which could help to save someone in need. It could even mean the difference between life or death for a friend or loved one, so look out for course details and book yourself onto a course.”
Heartstart How to save a life courses take just 2 hours and are free to attend. At the course you will learn:- how to deal with a conscious casualty, an unconscious casualty and how to put someone into the recovery position; how to recognise signs and symptoms of a heart attack; how to deal with choking, serious bleeding and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Simple Skills Save Lives!
Herefordshire Heartstart run public courses and courses for groups including local walk leaders, voluntary organisations, schools and businesses throughout Herefordshire.
To find out details of free courses in Herefordshire or if you can help by making a donation or by organising a fundraising event visit www.herefordshireheartstart.org or contact:-
Loraine Coleman, Co-ordinator and Schools Project Manager on 0845 60 60 654 or email info@herefordshireheartstart.co.uk or you can write to Herefordshire Heartstart, PO Box 305, HEREFORD HR1 9JD
Herefordshire Heartstart are a voluntary organisation/registered charity – number 1082309. We receive no government or British Heart Foundation funding and rely on small grants, fundraising and donations to keep this vital service running.
Ends
Notes to Editor:-
Herefordshire Heartstart also provides training and ongoing support to school staff from schools all over Herefordshire.
“The whole ethos of Heartstart is that the training is made available without charge, so we continue to offer the training to the public and schools free of charge.”
Contact details:-
Loraine Coleman
Co-ordinator/Project Manager
Herefordshire Heartstart
Email: info@herefordshireheartstart.org
Tel: 0845 60 60 654
www.herefordshireheartstart.org
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