'Really special' to thank life-saving ambulance crew

Jason Pizzey suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Wimborne Minster

"If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here today," said a retired teacher who has been reunited with the ambulance crew that helped to save his life.

Jason Pizzey, 60, from Wimborne Minster, Dorset, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in the early hours of 31 August last year.

The crew from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) arrived at the scene and quickly stabilised Mr Pizzey.

Meeting with the life savers at Poole Ambulance Station on 17 July, Mr Pizzey said: "To say thank you in person was something really special."

At the time of the incident Mr Pizzey's wife awoke and dialled 999 before performing CPR on her husband, under the guidance of the ambulance service call handler.

The SWASFT crew arrived and gave him two defibrillator shocks before he was taken to Bournemouth Royal Hospital by ambulance.

He spent 36 hours in the intensive care unit and was put into an induced coma. Once awake, Jason stayed a further week in hospital, where he had a pacemaker and defibrillator fitted before returning home.

'Remarkable recovery'

Mr Pizzey said: "I am so thankful I had the opportunity to meet the professionals who helped save my life. The team worked so perfectly together, and they recognised the first response of my wife to start CPR. They showed her care and compassion."

He added: "Since the event I have been slowly rehabilitating and by all accounts I have made a remarkable recovery my heart function is on an upward curve, and I no longer have heart failure. I am just so thankful for all they have done for me."

Martin Summers, emergency care assistant at SWASFT said: "It was incredibly uplifting to see Jason again and to see him doing so well and living his life to the full since his incident. It's a really special moment being reunited with patients and I am just so pleased we were able to help Jason when he needed it most. We wish him all the best for the future."