Woman suffers cardiac arrest, saved by sports centre staff

A woman who suffered a cardiac arrest in Quayside Leisure Centre was revived by the swift actions of staff and has thanked those who saved her life. 

On the morning of Thursday, 13 July, at Quayside Leisure Centre, Kingsbridge, staff identified the signs and symptoms of a 60-year-old woman who was going into cardiac arrest.

A spokesperson for Quayside explained what happened on their Facebook page: "The staff acted swiftly and Kieron Clarke, General Manager of the centre, begun CPR while emergency services were contacted.

"Assisted by the team of continuously trained staff comprising of lifeguards Eslam and Joel, CPR was continued for a total of nearly 14 minutes, administering a total of two shocks using the centre’s Automated External Defibrillator and successfully reviving the women before paramedics arrived to the scene.

"Upon arrival, paramedics took over the post resuscitation care, shortly assisted by the Devon Air Ambulance teams. A total of 13 professionals, comprising of paramedics and doctors from three ambulance crews, the Devon Air Ambulance and the Devon Air Ambulances Critical Care Vehicle stabilised the woman in the reception foyer of the centre for over 60 minutes before she was airlifted to Derriford Hospital. 

"The team at Quayside Leisure Centre were commended by the attending crews for their quick response and fast action to the incident as well as the successful resuscitation. Something which only occurs in just eight percent of those who have an out of hospital cardiac arrest.

"The woman spent four days in an intensive care ward in an induced coma before she was transferred to the cardiac ward for a further 10 days. After two weeks on from the incident she made her way home, following a full recovery."

The woman wishes to remain anonymous but had the following to say in a card addressed to the staff who were present on the day:

“There are no words. Nothing I can ever say or do will be enough to express how grateful I am for what you all did for me that fateful day, Thursday, 13 July, 2023. You were all meant to be here for me at that moment in time and you shone.

"Please don’t look back on that day as one of trauma and horror, look upon it as the day you all did something so tremendous, amazing and triumphant, that you can forever remember it with pride. I owe you my life. Thank you all. So much love xxxxxxxx”

Kieron Clarke, General Manager, said: “I couldn’t be any more proud of the team we have here at the leisure centre and how everyone used their training, knowledge and professionalism to spring into action and do what was necessary to deal with an incident which we spend two hours every month to train for but never hope to need to do.

"I’d also like to express my thanks to any customers who assisted in anyway and to all attending emergency services."

We are very lucky to have the Devon Air Ambulance which is funded by the people of Devon and has saved countless lives, donations can be made on the following link: www.daat.org/donate/donate-now