Cardiac arrest: Off-duty ambulance worker saves neighbour

Kenneth Lyon says he survived a cardiac arrest thanks to neighbour Erika Davies, an ambulance worker

A 69-year-old man has paid tribute to an off-duty ambulance worker who saved his life using a defibrillator.

Kenneth Lyon's wife, Jennifer, ran to fetch neighbour Erika Davies when he began having chest pains at their home at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.

Erika, an emergency technician, began doing chest compressions and Jennifer called 999 when he became unconscious.

Call handlers directed Jennifer to a nearby primary school to retrieve a free access defibrillator.

• Warning defibrillator thefts are risking lives

"Without these defibrillators, people would not survive," said Kenneth.

"I'm very lucky to have survived this cardiac arrest and it's all thanks to Erika."

Fewer than 5% of people survive a cardiac arrest outside hospital, but that figure rises to 70% if a defibrillator is used within three minutes, according to St John Ambulance Cymru.

A defibrillator can give someone's heart an electric shock when it stops beating normally in a cardiac arrest

Erika said she followed the defibrillator's instructions and delivered a single shock to Kenneth's chest before colleagues from the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance arrived.

The father-of-one was taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, where he had a stent inserted.

He is now recovering at home and plans to raise money for two more defibrillators for his community.

"I want to encourage as many people as possible to go on courses, learn how to give CPR and how to use defibs," he said.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is launching its annual Shoctober campaign this month to raise awareness of the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.

Liz Wedley, head of service for the Emergency Medical Service in north Wales, said: "I am thrilled Erika was able to help the Lyon family and that Kenneth is now doing well."

• SAM SMITH PRESENTS STORIES OF HIV: From Terrence Higgins to today

• WALES' STRONGEST WOMEN: How do they juggle their careers, training and family life?