The public are urged to learn how to save a life as South East Coast Ambulance Service delivers free CPR training at local venues this week for Restart a Heart Day (16 October).

Restart a Heart is an annual Resuscitation Council UK event which sees people encouraged to learn vital life-saving training, as bystander CPR can make a huge difference to survival rates.

One such survivor of a cardiac arrest is Carshalton man, David Frost, who collapsed while playing pickleball at Tadworth Leisure Centre.

The quick reactions from staff at the centre saw them administer CPR and apply a defibrillator. Prior to the arrival of ambulance crews, the leisure centre team of John Bennett, Stephanie Wallace, Cai Oudijk and Leo Gamble all assisted David, including administering two shocks with a defibrillator.

“From the very start of the call, everyone was calm and organised,” said Emergency Medical Advisor, Barbara Trevena, who handled the team’s 999 call. “They did everything right and already had the defibrillator attached. They listened to the defib instructions perfectly resulting in the best outcome.”

David, a retired aerospace engineer, is now back playing his pickleball. “Without the team’s actions, it is fair to say I wouldn’t be alive today. I realise how lucky I was, and I am so grateful. It’s fantastic that the leisure centre has trained its staff in CPR and how to use a defibrillator and I hope more people take the opportunity to learn about CPR.”

SECAmb is encouraging members of the public to attend these free events in their local area to learn CPR and help us save more lives in our communities.

For those who get trained in CPR, there is also the opportunity to sign up to the GoodSAM app – an app used by ambulance services to allow 999 call takers to alert first-aid trained individuals to nearby cardiac arrests.

Operating Unit Manager, Dave Hawkins, said: “We’re encouraging all members of the public to attend an event near you to learn CPR which will significantly help us improve cardiac arrest survival rates, and sign up to put those skills to good use if needed.”

Dates and locations to find the SECAmb teams include:

  • 15 October – High Street, Banstead, outside Waitrose, 9am to 1pm
  • 16 October – Tadworth Leisure Centre, Tadworth, from 8am to 6pm
  • 16 October – Spectrum Leisure Centre, Guildford, from 9am to 4pm
  • 16 October – Woking Leisure Centre, Woking, from 10am to 4pm
  • 17 October – Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, from 12 noon to 4pm