From Colleague to Lifesaver: How First Aid Training Helped Tim Save Tony's Life

Imagine you're at work, and a colleague is found in a quiet meeting room, looking unwell and struggling to breathe. Would you know what to do if they were having a heart attack? Tim did, and his quick actions saved the life of his colleague, Tony.

The Day Tony Had a Heart Attack

Tim works for a company in Hampshire, UK, along with around 80 other people. One day, he was asked to check on Tony, who had taken himself to a quiet meeting room to rest after feeling unwell. When Tim entered the room, he found Tony sitting in a chair, looking poorly, sweating, and breathing very rapidly. Tony, a man in his fifties who cycled to work every day and had done charity runs, was also complaining of chest pains. Tim suspected that Tony was having a heart attack.

Keeping Calm and Taking Action

Tim asked a colleague to call for an ambulance while he ensured that Tony remained in a comfortable position and tried to put him at ease. "As Tony felt very anxious, I knew that I needed to remain calm in order to help reassure him," Tim said. "I told him that help was on its way and that he might feel better if he tried taking steady breaths."

As a precautionary measure, Tim also asked his colleague to locate the automated external defibrillator (AED), in case Tony became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Following advice from the emergency call handler, a colleague offered Tony an aspirin tablet to chew slowly, which can help thin the blood and may aid someone experiencing a heart attack.

The Importance of First Aid Training

Tim continued to monitor and reassure Tony until the paramedics arrived and confirmed that he was indeed having a heart attack. Tony was then taken to the hospital, where he underwent emergency heart surgery. Thanks to Tim's quick actions, Tony made a full recovery and is now back to cycling to work each day.

Tim credits his ability to remain level-headed in this critical situation to the first aid courses he regularly attends. As an appointed first aider within his organization, he has helped people both inside and outside of work with minor injuries over the years.

What to Do If Someone Is Having a Heart Attack

If you suspect that a friend or colleague is having a heart attack, they may experience persistent, vice-like chest pain that can spread to their arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Call 999 (or your local emergency number) immediately or ask someone else to do it.

2. Ensure the person is in a comfortable position (e.g., sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall or chair).

3. Provide constant reassurance while waiting for the ambulance.

Remember, learning first aid skills can make a significant difference in an emergency situation. By staying calm and taking the appropriate actions, you could potentially save someone's life, just like Tim did for Tony. For more information on the First Aid courses we offer, please call Churchill Training Solutions on 07897748404, or look at the links at the top of this page.

Remember, Get Trained, Get Safe!