A REDDITCH grandmother is calling for more people to be trained in CPR after her grandson was saved by a student’s quick-thinking actions.
Denise Collis’ grandson Jake collapsed outside his flat in Woodrow last Thursday.
Thanks to the CPR administered by a 17-year-old Redditch United student, Jake’s life was saved and he is now undergoing treatment at the Alexandra Hospital.
Denise said: “Without the young man administering CPR my grandson would not be here today.
“They’ve found he has a heart defect and needs a defibrillator fitted to prevent him from collapsing again.
“It’s only because of the CPR training the young man received from Redditch United Football club my grandson is alive.
“It’s such an important skill to have, I was to encourage everyone who can to get trained.
“You never know when you might need it.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) joined forces with the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) last year to encourage everybody to brush up on this lifesaving skill.
Ambulance crews start, or continue, resuscitation in approximately 30,000 cases a year but acting quickly is vital.
According to the ambulance service a person’s chances of survival decreases by up to 10 per cent for every minute without CPR or access to a defibrillator.
WMAS chief executive Anthony Marsh, said: “When our staff arrive at the scene of a cardiac arrest, there is nothing that can help them more than if bystanders have already started CPR, as this undoubtedly gives the patient the best chance of survival.
“Ambulance staff receive incredible levels of praise from the public for saving lives, but you have the ability to do it too.
“Imagine how it feels to know you had played a part in saving someone’s life.
“Imagine how it would feel if you had been in that position but not known what to do to help.
“I urge everyone to learn how to do CPR as soon as possible – you never know when you might be required to try and save someone’s life.”
Visit resus.org.uk/watch for more information.
