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'I 'died' for two minutes' 'I 'died' for two minutes'
(about 1 hour later)
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News
Gary is now a trained first responderWhen Gary Humphries "died" at his local sports centre after a game of squash, he was a lucky man.Gary is now a trained first responderWhen Gary Humphries "died" at his local sports centre after a game of squash, he was a lucky man.
Two of the staff, trained to carry out first aid in emergencies, were able to get his heart going again with the use of a defibrillator.Two of the staff, trained to carry out first aid in emergencies, were able to get his heart going again with the use of a defibrillator.
He knows that, despite a speedy response from his local ambulance crew, he would otherwise have been beyond help by the time they arrived.He knows that, despite a speedy response from his local ambulance crew, he would otherwise have been beyond help by the time they arrived.
Gary had known he was at risk because his father and grandmother had both died early from heart attacks.Gary had known he was at risk because his father and grandmother had both died early from heart attacks.
Flat-lineFlat-line
Tests had shown he had high cholesterol, but he kept this under control with medication, good diet and exercise.Tests had shown he had high cholesterol, but he kept this under control with medication, good diet and exercise.
He played squash a couple of times a week.He played squash a couple of times a week.
One of the sports centres he uses dose not have the specially-trained crew - luckily for him he was not there when he collapsed. One of the sports centres he uses does not have the specially-trained crew - luckily for him he was not there when he collapsed.
My heart rhythm was printed and indicated I had flat-lined for about two minutes and was clinically dead Gary HumphriesMy heart rhythm was printed and indicated I had flat-lined for about two minutes and was clinically dead Gary Humphries
"I was in the right place at the right time," he said."I was in the right place at the right time," he said.
"My friend served the ball and said I did not return it. I had my hand clenched and fell backwards and hit the floor."My friend served the ball and said I did not return it. I had my hand clenched and fell backwards and hit the floor.
"My friend said he put me in the recovery position and went to get the two first responders."My friend said he put me in the recovery position and went to get the two first responders.
"They did CPR - cardio pulmonary resuscitation - and found that they had to use the defibrillator.""They did CPR - cardio pulmonary resuscitation - and found that they had to use the defibrillator."
After using the defibrillator (funded by the British Heart Foundation) a copy of Gary's heart rhythm was printed and indicated that he had "flat-lined" for about two minutes and was clinically dead.After using the defibrillator (funded by the British Heart Foundation) a copy of Gary's heart rhythm was printed and indicated that he had "flat-lined" for about two minutes and was clinically dead.
"They shocked me and brought me back," explained the 51-year-old from Caerphilly, south Wales."They shocked me and brought me back," explained the 51-year-old from Caerphilly, south Wales.
"If they had waited for the ambulance crews, I would not still be here."If they had waited for the ambulance crews, I would not still be here.
"When they saw me the ambulance crew did not think that just 12 minutes before I had been dead.""When they saw me the ambulance crew did not think that just 12 minutes before I had been dead."
Tests showed that Gary had a blockage and narrowing of his artery and he was given a stent - a metal scaffold to stop the artery narrowing again.Tests showed that Gary had a blockage and narrowing of his artery and he was given a stent - a metal scaffold to stop the artery narrowing again.
Because of the blow to his head when he fell he remained unconscious for four days, but as he recovered people told him how the first responders' quick action had saved his life.Because of the blow to his head when he fell he remained unconscious for four days, but as he recovered people told him how the first responders' quick action had saved his life.
ActionAction
He was so impressed that when he was fully recovered he too decided to train for the role.He was so impressed that when he was fully recovered he too decided to train for the role.
"At the moment when I had my heart attack I was in God's pocket by having trained staff and an AED - automated external defibrillator - available."At the moment when I had my heart attack I was in God's pocket by having trained staff and an AED - automated external defibrillator - available.
"Now I want to help other people like me, to make things better for them."Now I want to help other people like me, to make things better for them.
"I am like an extended arm of the ambulance service. I would like to be able to give somebody the chance to live like I had.""I am like an extended arm of the ambulance service. I would like to be able to give somebody the chance to live like I had."
Each minute delay lessens survival chancesEach minute delay lessens survival chances
In 2003, when Gary had his heart attack, the British Heart Foundation was given nearly £6m from the Big Lottery Fund to distribute 2,300 defibrillators and training equipment to potential community responders throughout England.In 2003, when Gary had his heart attack, the British Heart Foundation was given nearly £6m from the Big Lottery Fund to distribute 2,300 defibrillators and training equipment to potential community responders throughout England.
These were then placed in rural areas, shopping centres, bus stations and airports - places identified by the ambulance service as areas where people are most at risk.These were then placed in rural areas, shopping centres, bus stations and airports - places identified by the ambulance service as areas where people are most at risk.
So far 9,591 responders have trained and there are 13 known survivors to date.So far 9,591 responders have trained and there are 13 known survivors to date.
ResponseResponse
Claire O' Neill, emergency life support project manager for the British Heart Foundation, said the lottery cash had enabled them to build on their own fund raising to give people the best possible chance by giving a service that could complement that of the ambulance crews.Claire O' Neill, emergency life support project manager for the British Heart Foundation, said the lottery cash had enabled them to build on their own fund raising to give people the best possible chance by giving a service that could complement that of the ambulance crews.
She said chances of survival following a cardiac arrest decline rapidly with time, so speed is paramount.She said chances of survival following a cardiac arrest decline rapidly with time, so speed is paramount.
"The chances of survival are reduced by 14% every minute that defibrillation is delayed."The chances of survival are reduced by 14% every minute that defibrillation is delayed.
"We wanted to get these defibrillators into areas of need where ambulance response times were challenging or where there was a large throughput of people."We wanted to get these defibrillators into areas of need where ambulance response times were challenging or where there was a large throughput of people.
"The optimal time for effective defibrillation is under five minutes and that is a big challenge for ambulance crews to meet, no matter how good.""The optimal time for effective defibrillation is under five minutes and that is a big challenge for ambulance crews to meet, no matter how good."
Chris Cooper, first responder manager for Great Western Ambulance Service said the scheme had been vital in improving survival rates.Chris Cooper, first responder manager for Great Western Ambulance Service said the scheme had been vital in improving survival rates.
He said that in his own area they had trained up 42 first responders who were able to get to the scene within about four minutes - improving the ambulance service's overall response times by eight percent.He said that in his own area they had trained up 42 first responders who were able to get to the scene within about four minutes - improving the ambulance service's overall response times by eight percent.
"We do of course still sent ambulance crews, but because these first responders are in the rural villages they are on the scene first and we are seeing improvements in survival times," he said."We do of course still sent ambulance crews, but because these first responders are in the rural villages they are on the scene first and we are seeing improvements in survival times," he said.