Man who survived a cardiac arrest thanks ambulance crews who helped save his life
A NEWPORT man who survived a cardiac arrest has been reunited with the crews who saved his life.
When Mike Lyons, now 67-years-old, collapsed outside his home in Newport after a run, it was the quick-thinking actions of his wife who started his chain of survival.
His stepson Matthew crucially had left the front door open as he could see Mike returning home, and after a couple minutes the dogs started barking.
Realising that Mike had not entered the house, Matthew went outside to find him in full cardiac arrest.
Mike said: “I can’t remember anything of the day, I can’t even remember if I experienced any pain.
“As it was a Sunday, I did my usual fitness session which meant I finished off with a sprint and except for that I just remember waking up in hospital a few days later.”
After finding his stepdad, Matthew ran to get his mum Katherine who rang 999 and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Katherine, a retired paediatric nurse, said: “I actually had my headphones in as I was sewing curtains upstairs when it happened.
“As soon as I seen Mike, I immediately rang 999 and started chest compressions as he had started to turn blue.
“Our neighbour Gareth Talbot and his dad David Talbot came running over to help.
“David kept reassuring me, and Gareth then took over CPR.
“When I saw the green and yellow of the ambulance car I was so relieved.” The Welsh Ambulance Service vehicle arrived in under five minutes.
At 63-years old, Mike was then transported to the Royal Gwent Hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery to insert two stents.
He said: “There were many parts to the jigsaw that without any one part I would not be alive today.
“It all started with my stepson leaving the door open, my wife starting CPR, to our neighbour Gareth who happened to watch a CPR demonstration that morning, and then the quick arrival of the ambulance staff.
“My deepest gratitude goes out to all who played a part, and I will be forever grateful to everyone that saved my life.”
Sian Edmunds, Advanced Paramedic Practitioner for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “It was lovely to meet Mike and hear how well he is doing.
“Katherine and Gareth had done a great job of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and it really does highlight the importance of early action and good quality CPR.
“You never know when it might be needed to save a life.”
Mike is fundraising for the Special Care Baby Units, and you can sponsor him here: https://www.justgiving.com/Mike-Lyons2.
He continued: “My wife has said I can’t run anymore, so instead I have taken up roller skating.
“I’m now skating 1000 miles to raise money and I wouldn’t be able to do it without the heroes who saved my life.”
When someone has a cardiac arrest, they collapse and become unresponsive. They either stop breathing entirely, or they may take gasping or infrequent breaths for a few minutes, which can be misinterpreted as snoring.
If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, phone 999 immediately and start CPR.
In addition, a defibrillator will deliver a controlled electric shock to try and get the heart beating normally again.
Ambulance call handlers will tell you where your nearest defibrillator is.
Click here for more information on the GoodSAM app and to register.
Watch this video from the Resuscitation Council UK about how to perform CPR.
It is important that new and existing defibrillators are registered on The Circuit in order that 999 call handlers can quickly and easily alert callers to their location if needed.
The Welsh Ambulance Service continues to work in partnership with Welsh Government and third sector partners to strive to deliver the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Plan in Wales.
Editor’s Notes
For more information, please call Communications Officer Beth Eales on 07870 383209 or email Beth.Eales@wales.nhs.uk