A visit to a Supermarket in Redditch turned out to be a lifesaving event for one man, when he collapsed. It was lucky for him that Maggie Prentice was waiting to be served when she saw him collapse. The man was fitting, but Maggie noticed that he had stopped breathing; she called for helped and began CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
She shouted for staff to bring the defibrillator, attached the pads and carried on CPR, but no shocks were required.
Thankfully on the 3rd round of CPR he began to breathe again. Paramedics arrived and he was taken to hospital, where we understand he was doing well, though he did require surgery to repair his shoulder following the fall.
Only a few months before Maggie had attended a full day Heartstart (How to save a life) Instructor training course run by Schools Project Manager/Schools Training Supervisor/ Instructor Loraine Coleman and Instructor Mary Prosser from local voluntary organisation Herefordshire Heartstart.
Maggie was able to attend the training due to a cancelled school place. Maggie learnt how to deal with a conscious casualty, an unconscious casualty, choking, serious bleeding, heart attack and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). These skills proved invaluable to Maggie when she came to the aid of this man in the supermarket.
Maggie was planning to teach Heartstart in her area, as both Maggie and her partner Rob Underwood had set up Redditch Heartsafe.
Maggie and Rob do an enormous amount of fundraising to purchase defibrillators for schools and other establishments in the Redditch area. They had only purchased the defibrillator which they had placed in the supermarket just 4 weeks before this incident. Defibrillators are pieces of lifesaving equipment, which anyone can use without prior training, though training is available in their use to give confidence.
Herefordshire Heartstart provides Heartstart how to save a life courses for the public, voluntary organisations and other groups throughout Herefordshire, as well as training staff in schools in the County to deliver Heartstart training to pupils.
For details of free two hour Heartstart courses throughout Herefordshire contact Loraine Coleman, Co-ordinator and Schools Project Manager on 0845 60 60 654 or email info@herefordshireheartstart.org
Notes to Editor: Herefordshire Heartstart are a voluntary organisation and a registered charity (number 1082309), who provide Heartstart training without charge. We rely on grants, fundraising events and donations for us to continue supporting both schools and communities in Herefordshire.
If you can help by making a donation or by organising a fundraising event, please contact Loraine Coleman, Co-ordinator and Schools Project Manager on 0845 60 60 654 or email info@herefordshireheartstart.org or write to Mrs Loraine Coleman, Co-ordinator/Project Manager, Herefordshire Heartstart, PO Box 305, HEREFORD HR1 9JD
9/9/14
3pm
