A Woking man who received a staggering 15 shocks from a defibrillator to restart his heart was finally able to thank his life-savers in a recent reunion.
62-year-old Ian Marples met the SECAmb team who helped save his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest at his local GP practice on 17 March 2021.
Ian was delighted to be able to let the people who saved him know that he was alive and well, suffering no ill effects from his cardiac arrest.
Ian was lucky to be alive, having only gone to his GP practice on the advice of the walk-in centre in Woking, where he received an Electrocardiogram (ECG). As the results appeared normal, it was believed his symptoms might be related to a stomach issue. He was advised to visit his GP surgery next door for further examination.
However, when he arrived, his doctor, concerned about Ian’s condition, decided he should be taken to the hospital.
An ambulance was called, and as former Paramedic Rose Price and Trainee Associate Practitioner Rebecca Derriman arrived, Ian went into cardiac arrest.
Rose and Rebecca immediately called for backup, which brought Critical Care Paramedic Tom Mikrut and Operational Team Leader Mick Byrne to the scene. The team worked tirelessly, delivering advanced life-support to stabilise Ian before he was transferred to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, where he was fitted with a stent.
Speaking about Ian’s recovery, Tom Mikrut said: “It’s fantastic to see Ian doing so well and to hear everything he has been doing while recovering. It was a real team effort caring for Ian, from the GP surgery staff to the ambulance crew, and the team taking over his care in hospital. Ian is a fantastic example that early recognition of cardiac arrest, CPR and defibrillation leads to the best outcomes, and I'd encourage everyone to learn these essential skills."
The reunion, held at Chertsey Ambulance Station in Surrey on 4 September 2024, was an emotional occasion. Ian spoke of the joy he felt seeing how much of a morale boost it gave SECAmb colleagues to witness first-hand the difference they had made.
Reflecting on the experience, Ian said: "The team went above and beyond, giving everything they had to save me. I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication. It was truly a privilege to reunite with them and show them that I’m healthy today because of their efforts."
The reunion highlighted not only Ian’s remarkable recovery but also the crucial role played by colleagues in such life-saving situations.