Trust colleague’s CPR skills make a life-saving difference
On his way in to work one morning, Guy Gladston, Senior Assistant Clinical Psychologist at Nottinghamshire Healthcare responded to a life-threatening situation, in which Martin, a member of the public, had taken unwell and collapsed at Broad Marsh Car park in Nottingham.
Using the skills he had learned through the Trust’s Basic Life Support training, Guy did not hesitate to intervene, starting CPR, and working with other members of the public to contact the emergency services. Guy continued CPR, until the emergency services arrived shortly after, with Guy continuing to support after their arrival.
Guy was later thrilled to find out that Martin pulled through. Without immediate CPR intervention, this may not have been the case.
Martin said: “I don’t remember anything about the incident only what I’ve been told. I remember going to work as usual, kissing my wife Allyson goodbye, she had just finished a nightshift at QMC. I drove to the forest and then got a tram into work where I work as a bus driver at Broadmarsh bus station. The last thing I remember was stepping on the kerb and the rest is history.
“I first learned what had happened when I was woke up seven days later from a coma, I had numerous infections I was fighting and three blood transfusions. My wife Allyson was there when I woke up and I turned and looked at her and said sorry before asking what happened, because I knew she must have been worrying about me. I couldn’t take it in that I had had a cardiac arrest caused by a heart attack involving the main artery. I had an angioplasty, which is a procedure used to widen blood vessels, but still have another blocked artery on the other side.
“Learning a stranger had stepped in and performed CPR was amazing, I’m ever so thankful, he did a good job as my ribs hurt for weeks on where he broke them. Sometimes necessary to save a life! A small price to pay!
“There should be more people like Guy trained up in all work places, I heard he never hesitated and got straight to work. He performed CPR for 22 mins until the air ambulance arrived.
The Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance service arranged a meet up for Guy and his family and those that had helped to save him.
Martin continued: “I first went to thank Paige, who was another passer-by who helped, while Allyson and my daughter in law Elee went to Guy. The room was full of tears, with Allyson crying saying “thank you, thank you thank you”, but it doesn’t seem enough. Guy was hugging Allyson and both were really emotional. When I went round I shook his hand and let him know how grateful I am that his quick-thinking actions meant I lived to tell the tale.
“I do have some brain damage and loss of memory after what happened, I was also on the cardio rehabilitation programme but recently fell off a ladder and broke two ribs so I’ve not completed it yet. I’m tired easily but thankful for everyday.
“Recovery is a long process, I think it’s my wife that’s struggling as she’s the one that sat by my bed side in critical care for seven days not knowing if I would pull through as the clinicians said they was unsure.
“Guy is our hero, he saved my life and we will be forever thankful. He’s not a stranger to us, he’s family now. Guy your quick-thinking actions saved my life - Thankyou again.”
Becky Sutton, Chief Operating Officer at Nottinghamshire Healthcare said:
“Guy’s actions are an outstanding example of the difference that timely intervention, effective training and the courage to act can make. His quick thinking and determination to provide CPR until the emergency services arrived helped give Martin the chance to survive and recover.
“We are incredibly proud of Guy and the way he put his Basic Life Support training into practice in such critical circumstances. His actions are a powerful reminder of why this training, which is mandatory for all our colleagues, is so important and how the skills our staff develop can make a life-saving difference, both in the workplace and in the wider community.”
*Photo credit Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. (left-right, Guy, Allyson, Martin, Jack (paramedic on scene)).
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