Colleagues at a holiday park in Romney Sands, Ashford, have been praised for their quick thinking after they were able to resuscitate a holidaymaker who was in cardiac arrest.

The team of colleagues at the holiday park were working their normal shifts when they were alerted to a person in need of medical attention on 20 August 2024.

General Manger, Julie Ainsworth, Sports and Leisure Manager, Rachael Knights and park colleagues Kieran Hall and Amelia Taylor responded to the medical alert.

The group immediately called 999 and spoke with emergency medical advisor, Kelly Little, who coached them on how to perform effective CPR until crews arrived on scene. With the park’s rural setting, the run time for crews was approximately 20 minutes. With more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK, it was crucial that CPR was started as soon as possible.

Julie, Rachael, Kieran and Amelia alternated CPR on the patient every two minutes, as well as sending the park lifeguard, Gabriel Rose, to meet ambulance crews at the entrance of the park.

Just three weeks prior, the park had invested in a defibrillator. Once at the side of the patient, four shocks were administered by Amelia, Julie and Rachael before achieving a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

Amazingly, by the time that paramedics, Jessica Conroy and Tim Grace, newly qualified paramedic, Lee Benham, community first responder, Georgia Hudson and student paramedic, Andrew Kilburn arrived on scene, the patient was conscious and responding and has gone on to make a good recovery.

To thank them for their heroic actions and to cement the importance of early CPR and defibrillation, Kelly, Jessica and Lee recently reunited with the staff from Romney Sands holiday park following their life-saving intervention.

Amelia, who is a student paramedic with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) said: “We were made aware of an incident in one of the caravans and made our way quickly to help. On arrival, we had no idea that the person had collapsed and was in cardiac arrest. So many things were going through my head, trying to understand what had happened, but my first thought was to get the patient on the floor, clear the area and start CPR.”

EMA Kelly said: “I was conscious that the group needed to start the process as quickly as possible to have the best chance of the patient surviving while crews were on route. They did a fantastic job, and I have no doubt that things would have been very different if they weren’t in control of the incident.”

Bharat Patel said: “I want to say thank you so much for everything every single person did for me. Without the quick response, help, support, and knowledge of the staff, I would not have been alive right now. I will be forever grateful to all the staff and especially those involved directly with my care. Again, thank you all so much for saving my life and I wish you all the best.”

General Manager, Julie said: “Having been a General Manager for over 20 years, I understand the importance of having sufficiently trained staff on shift at all times. But nothing can really prepare you for the reality of giving lifesaving first aid. I am so incredibly proud of the way my team responded on this occasion. Rachael was our lifeguard trainer assessor, Amelia a student paramedic. So, I could not have had a better team ready to respond on that day. I am also incredibly grateful that Parkdean Resorts understood the importance of having a defibrillator on site. As the end result could have been very different without it”.

Paramedic Jessica said: “Amelia’s training and ability to stay calm under pressure were crucial in stabilising the patient until we arrived on scene. Every minute that goes past without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to ten per cent. For that reason, we can’t thank them enough for starting compressions immediately.”

Amelia shared her thoughts on the reunion: "It was a moment that truly tested everything I’ve learned so far, but I was incredibly proud to be able to help. This was my first cardiac arrest and so I’m hoping that my success rate continues from here on. I can’t thank Kelly enough for doing it with me and supporting me all the way through.”

Lee said: "Having a defibrillator available and knowing how to use it made all the difference in this situation. This reunion is a testament to the importance of CPR and early defibrillation in saving lives."

Amelia’s mentor and SECAmb Paramedic, Adam Line said: “Amelia was a first-year student paramedic working with me last year. When she told me that she had helped resuscitate a patient while working on her summer holiday, I was really impressed with her quick thinking that meant this patient received early good quality chest compressions and early use of a defibrillator before the ambulance crew arrived. These actions were precisely what the patient needed to save his life with the help of the ambulance crew and the team at the hospital. Well done Amelia, good luck in year two.”