‘My heart stopped for seven minutes’
A RUNNER whose heart stopped for seven minutes after he collapsed during a fun run has met the first-aiders who saved his life.
Gary Huntley knows just how lucky he was to have St John Cymru Wales volunteers in the right place at the right time after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The 51-year-old had been taking part in the Cardiff 5K Race for Victory in Whitchurch, Cardiff, earlier this year with his sons Rhys, 23, and David, 20, when he collapsed at the side of the road.
“It was just supposed to be a bit of fun,” said Gary.
“My boys are fit so we thought we’d take part. I go to the gym a few times a week and I’d trained for the race.
“I was plodding along at a lovely pace until the 4.5k mark. That’s apparently when I collapsed.”
Gary says he can’t remember anything about that day but recently met the team that saved his life.
Shaz Bentley and Dean Williams, part of St John Wales’ Cardiff Cycle Response Unit, were first at the scene.
Shaz said: “When we arrived, Gary was clearly in distress.
“Luckily two bystanders had already started CPR, which Dean and myself continued. Gary’s heart stopped for seven minutes but we were able to get it beating by itself again using a defibrillator. ”
Dean said: “We’d only just bought the defibrillator and it was the first time it had been used on a patient.
“My nan, Gwen, recently passed away and the money raised from her funeral was used to buy the defib.”
Gary was in an induced coma for three days after his collapse and spent 18 days at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where he had his own defibrillator fitted. Asked how he was feeling now, Gary said: “Obviously I’m not doing what I used to but I’m getting there. I go walking and the doctor said I should be able to get back to doing exactly what I was doing before. I’m so grateful to Shaz and Dean and the rest of the volunteers at St John Cymru Wales for saving my life.”
Gary’s wife Helen said: “It was just mind-blowing to hear everything that the Cardiff Cycle Response Unit did for Gary on that awful day in May. We are in awe of the work that St John Wales volunteers do which saved Gary’s life.”
Gary has hung up his running shoes for the time being but his friends have taken part in runs since.
Gary joked: “My friends are asking if I’ll be their coach but only for the first 4.5k.”
The survival rate for cardiac arrests is low if treatment is not received in the first few minutes.
St John Cymru Wales are giving away free first aid awareness sessions as part of their Save a Life September campaign. You can sign up for a free session at www.stjohnwales.org.uk or call 0345 678 5646.