Survivor of a cardiac arrest Graham Avery thanks the emergency crew who saved his life.
Sixty-year-old Graham from Houghton Le Spring was feeling a bit under the weather with breathlessness, a pain down his left arm, and a heavy feeling in his legs when his partner Marie became concerned in November 2024.
An emergency ambulance crew from North East Ambulance Service was dispatched to the incident, with newly qualified paramedic Hayley Francis and her crewmate, Graham Stones, on board.
Incredibly, just as the crew arrived, father of two, Graham, deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest.
Graham experienced what is known as an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), of which, less than 1 in 10 people in the UK survive.
Paramedic Hayley, who joined the service in 2023, recalls the moment they arrived, “When arriving on scene I remember being greeted by Marie at the front door who showed us to Graham.
“I quickly realised that he was going into cardiac arrest in front of me and needed immediate interventions.
“When we go to a cardiac arrest call, we work tirelessly to give the patient the best possible outcome.”
A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping, which prevents blood from flowing to the brain and other vital organs, depriving them of oxygen. This is different from a heart attack, although a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Hayley began CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) whilst her crew mate applied the defibrillator. Once the pads were applied, Hayley continued the chest compressions until Graham’s heartbeat was in a shockable rhythm.
One shock was delivered to Graham which thankfully brought him around.
The control centre was informed of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and further resources were dispatched.
Following his terrifying experience, Graham was taken to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle where a stent was fitted.
Graham adds, “This was either a warning or a second chance. Whatever it is, I will grasp it with both hands. I always thought I was invincible but none of us are. I just wanted to meet the crew in person and say thank you – it's the least I could do.”
Hayley concluded, “We don’t always find out the outcome of the patient and that’s why a reunion like this is so special to us.”
A cardiac arrest can strike anybody at any time and every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%.
Chest compressions provided during CPR pump blood around the body to keep someone alive until the ambulance crew arrives.
Without immediate treatment with CPR and a defibrillator, if there is one nearby, the person’s chance of survival reduces every minute.
It only takes a few minutes to learn CPR. To find out more, visit https://