Two doctors who played a vital role in a Surrey man’s cardiac arrest survival are adding their voices to the call for more people to take the time to learn to save a life.
Dr Melissa Tan and Dr Lucinda Shaw were on a day out with their families on Reigate Hill in April 2023 when they were alerted by cyclist, Roland Wootten, to Tadworth man, Ian Hook, having collapsed at the viewpoint while on a bike ride.
The pair acted quickly to commence chest compressions on Ian as passers by, Dr Natasha Citeroni-Clark, Anita Citeroni and Darren West also stopped to assist – caring for Ian and helping to deliver compressions prior to the arrival of ambulance and air ambulance teams.
Ian has gone on to make a good recovery having been fitted with a stent and is back on his bike. And now, this February Heart Month, and with him and his wife, Felicity, having recently been reunited with the South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) team who came to his aid, the doctors are urging everyone to ensure they would know how to help save a life.
Melissa, who has also since been reunited with Ian and Felicity, said: “We were directed to Ian and spotted he was agonal breathing, so quickly started CPR as we were joined by other bystanders including another doctor. It was very different to performing CPR in hospital but so important ahead of the ambulance crews arriving to take over his care. I feel very thankful to have been able to help.
“Knowing how to deliver chest compressions and potentially save a life is a really vital skill to have. It was a real team effort that day and it’s fantastic to see Ian doing so well.”
Speaking after meeting with some of the SECAmb team Ian said: “I can never thank everyone who helped me enough. From Melissa and Lucinda and all those who helped ahead of the ambulance teams arriving and then the expert care I received prior to and then at St George’s. The ambulance team and everyone involved live with us every day. We are so appreciative. The actions everyone took ensured I was here to meet my new granddaughter who was born six months ago.”
SECAmb paramedic and Operational Team Leader, Dave Strudwick, said: “It was very special to meet with Ian and Felicity. Bystander CPR ahead of the care my colleagues and the air ambulance service provided was absolutely critical to Ian’s survival and good recovery. On behalf of the whole team, I wish Ian and Felicity all the very best for the future.”
Since Ian’s cardiac arrest Ian’s son, Andrew, has raised money to fund two public access defibrillators locally. Ian’s wife Felicity has gone on to work closely with SECAmb’s Central Surrey Community First Responder team – as an advocate for the public to learn CPR.
Felicity said: “The team has trained more than 600 people life-saving skills in the last year. I’m really passionate that everyone should know how to save a life and I would urge everyone to take the time to find a course near them or even just spend some time learning online.”
In person CPR training is available throughout the UK from multiple organisations, while both the BHF and the Resuscitation Council UK offer online training in CPR and defibrillator use.
The British Heart Foundation has an online training tool, RevivR, a free and easy-to-use 15-minute training course – https://bit.ly/4a0V8T6
The Resuscitation Council has created a “CPQR code” – a heart shaped QR code that directs people to a short video on how to do CPR.
Face-to-face first aid and CPR courses can also be booked through St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.
Communities and businesses are urged to ensure public access defibrillators are registered with the BHF’s Circuit network. More details here: The Circuit – the national defibrillator network – BHF