A man returns to Cornwall to thank the lifeguards who saved him
65 year old David Smith came back to show them how grateful he is
Last updated 9th Sep 2021
A dad who suffered a cardiac arrest on holiday near Newquay thanks the emergency services who saved his life.
Last summer 65 year old David Smith collapsed during a surf lesson at Holywell Bay. Lifeguards, paramedic, and air ambulance all rushed to the rescue.
Quick thinking surf instructors, Lee Griffin and Jago Griffiths, who are also qualified RNLI lifeguards, immediately radioed for help and the defibrillator from the lifeguard hut.
An off-duty paramedic who was also on the water joined other RNLI lifeguards who quickly arrived on scene. Together they started CPR and used the defibrillator in a bid to save David.
"We responded as fast as we could, and we were able to deliver two shocks on the defibrillator within five minutes of David collapsing.
"Together, we managed to deliver effective CPR, something we train for as lifeguards but a skill we hope never to use for real.
"We were just amazed as David regained consciousness, although he was still in a very critical condition."
Adam Taylor
"I had to go and see the people that saved my life, it was very emotional being back there, but they made us feel so welcome.
"At the time I didn’t know what to say to be honest, but we chatted through what happened that day. I just knew I really wanted to meet them face to face and thank them.’
David Smith
"If the RNLI lifeguards and other responders hadn’t been there that day, it would have affected all of our lives – we literally owe them the world. There is nothing at all that I could ever say to them that would show how grateful we are.
"This was just such an amazing team effort from RNLI lifeguards, surf instructors, paramedics, the air ambulance and those that gave onward care in the hospital too."
David’s daughter Lyndsey
Once conscious David was airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital by the Cornwall Air Ambulance.