Saved by ‘angels’
MAN PRAISES VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AFTER HE WENT INTO CARDIAC ARREST AT HEATHROW AIRPORT
A SOUTHALL man whose heart stopped nine times has thanked the volunteer emergency responders who saved his life.
Amin Akbar felt chest pains while working for DHL at Heathrow Airport.
The 40-year-old thought he needed to “chill out” for a bit so asked his supervisor if her could head to the break room. When the pain persisted, he knew to call an ambulance.
Most people would expect that two fully qualified paramedics would be on their way to save them, however Amin’s “angels” were volunteer emergency responders Peter Biddle and Garry Patrick.
Just moments after they arrived, Amin went into cardiac arrest and his heart stopped.
Peter, from Chessington, usually spends his days teaching people to drive buses and lorries, while Isleworth resident Gary manages a carpentry and joinery firm.
Both, however, are also volunteer emergency responders who have been specifically trained by the London Ambulance Service to save lives in these types of situations.
The volunteers carry very similar equipment and drive very similar vehicles to regular paramedics and the pair worked quickly and deftly to keep Amin alive.
They first used a defibrillator to shock his heart, asked for backup and started the CPR necessary to keep blood flowing around Amin’s brain, keeping him alive.
A full ambulance crew came to relieve them after the defibrillator was used alongside CPR to try to get Amin’s heart to restart. The ambulance crews rushed Amin to hospital, where he was given the treatment he needed.
“I was waiting for two angels and they came,” said Amin. “It is because of Garry and Peter that I am here today. The first thing I remember after waking up is a huge pressure on my chest and I heard Garry say ‘good man, you’re still alive.’
“At the hospital the doctor told me I had died nine times. He said I had to give my credit to the first people that arrived to help me because they didn’t give up.” Peter said he joined the emergency responder scheme after the tragic death of his son eight years ago.
“I was lost for the first year after that happened,” Peter admitted. “That’s why I started volunteering as an emergency responder. I knew I needed to do something to help others. I wanted something worthwhile to come out of what had happened.
“When word got back to us on that same shift that Amin was sitting up in bed and talking, it was the biggest buzz we’ve ever had. It has been a very emotional experience meeting Amin.
“He is such an inspiration in the way he has changed his life around. It’s outcomes like this that make you look forward to your next shift.”
Six months later, Amin was able to return to work after cutting out anything bad for his heart from his life.
His colleagues at Heathrow DHL welcomed him back with a fundraising dinner, with proceeds going to the London Ambulance Service Voluntary Responder Group.
DHL will match fund the staff members’ contribution to double the amount they raised.
Amin said: “I am perfectly fine now. I have given up smoking, junk food and fizzy drinks. I’m looking after myself. The first thing I did when the doctor allowed me to travel is to take a pilgrimage to the holy cities. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
He has taken up a desk role at DHL after his serious heart scare.
I was waiting for two angels and they came. It is because of Gary and Peter that I am here today Amin Akbar