Newcastle woman saves fiancé by performing CPR before their wedding
The ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign highlights that with each minute that passes without the administration of CPR, chances of survival are reduced by 10%
A North East couple are joining the 'Every Minute Matters' campaign urging people across the region to learn CPR.
Sunderland fan Lee’s life was saved by Newcastle fan fiancé Amy who recently learnt CPR on a first aid course at work. Amy performed CPR whilst she waited for paramedics to arrive, leading to Lee’s full recovery before they went on to get married.
Amy Stephenson said: "Lee just started making this really strange gasping noise and the best way to describe it is like an outwards snore, a long continuous snore.
"I flicked the bed side light on and at that point I could see that he was completely unconscious."
Amy told Hits Radio North East that she called the emergency services and started to perform CPR on her fiancé Lee.
She continued to say: "That muscle memory just kicks in and it's like riding a bike, you never forget.
"I remember thinking at the time if you hear a sound like a fire cracker then it could be a rib breaking, but not to worry about it. So, I knew that I wasn't going to hurt him.
"It's just having that initial confidence to know where to push and how hard you needed to push."
More than 80 people in the UK suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest every day
There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year – equating to at least five every 90 minutes – and with each minute that passes without CPR the chance of survival decreases by 10%.
Less than one in 10 people survive often because those around them lack the knowledge or confidence to perform CPR – according to data from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Although many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lifetime, the BHF estimates that around 23 million UK adults have never learnt this life-saving skill.
In a bid to inspire the nation to learn vital CPR skills, the BHF is joining forces with Sky Bet and an inspiring line-up of footballers impacted by life-threatening heart conditions to urge more than a quarter of a million people – the equivalent of three Wembley Stadiums – to learn CPR over the next 12 months.
Former professional players David Ginola, Graeme Souness, Glenn Hoddle, Fabrice Muamba will join current players including Wigan striker Charlie Wyke and Derby County Defender Megan Tinsley in the ‘Re-Starting 11’ – an inspiring team of ambassadors who will unveil the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign at Wembley stadium.
The ‘Re-Starting 11’ - which will also feature football fans who have either survived a cardiac arrest or saved someone’s life - will play a critical role in helping give Brits the confidence and skills to tackle the ultimate medical emergency in the largest recruitment drive of its kind.
Every Minute Matters will urge everyone to take just 15 minutes – the length of the half-time interval – to learn CPR with RevivR, the BHF’s free and easy to use digital tool. The simple course requires no medical experience and can be completed with just a mobile phone and a cushion to practice on.