Trainee praised for saving life of first aid teacher
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A WOMAN has told how she saved the life of an ambulance volunteer as he gave a talk on first aid – and collapsed with a heart attack.
David Knowles, 77, was telling a church group about his work with the St John Ambulance when he found himself at the centre of a real-life emergency.
His audience initially thought he was role-playing but quickly realised the severity of the situation as he began to lose consciousness.
Trainee first aider Karol Chew, 56, rushed to help him and before passing out David told her exactly what she needed to do in order to save his life.
She gave him CPR until an ambulance arrived at the Belmont Chapel church group in Exeter, Devon.
David was rushed to nearby Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he suffered a further cardiac arrest and a pulmonary embolism.
But his condition improved after having three stents fitted to open his arteries, along with an internal defibrillator implanted in his chest.
He spent five weeks in hospital and is now recovering at home after defying the expectations of medical professionals who warned his family to expect the worst.
Doctors are convinced that David owes his Karol.
David, a retired nurse who has volunteered with St John Ambulance for the past 11 years, said: “She thought I was role playing but I told her it was real and that I was going to lose consciousness.
“I told her what to do to save my life then passed out.”
Karol added: “The experience was traumatic and shattering for all of us.
“It was David’s own teaching that saved his life and the fact that he was so utterly calm and able to direct us, up to the point when he arrested.
“I’ve told so many people to get themselves on a first aid course since that day – everyone should know how to save a life.” survival to quickthinking