Paul from Cookham in Berkshire, collapsed whilst playing golf in Milton Keynes. Thames Valley Air Ambulance reached the golf course (which was 30 miles away from the base at RAF Benson) in 16 minutes. Doctor Chloe Spence and Critical Care Paramedic Jo Meadham arrived on scene to deliver advanced cardiac care to Paul.
Paul’s heart, failing in every way possible, had multiple cardiac arrests. Thirteen defibrillator shocks were administered by Thames Valley Air Ambulance on route to the hospital, as the crew fought to save his life.
Doctor Chloe Spence said: “It was the toughest cardiac incident both Jo and I have ever attended”.
Doctor Chloe Spence and paramedic Jo Meadham delivered advanced cardiac care to Paul. Doctor Chloe said: ‘Paul was critically ill. His heart was in and out of life-threatening rhythms, stopping and starting, requiring advanced intervention to get it to restart, all the way to hospital. He was as critical as one can be, but Paul was a fighter and he battled to stay alive.’
Paul has defied the odds of survival and following doctors operating on a blood clot blocking his heart, he has made a remarkable recovery and is back at work full-time.
Paul said: “I am so grateful to Thames Valley Air Ambulance for reaching me so quickly, acting so calmly in a chaotic situation and to everyone that battled to save my life. It was a terrifying ordeal and I feel incredibly lucky to be alive. I am under no illusion that without the incredible skill and emergency treatment I received, I would not be alive today. I am looking forward to helping Thames Valley Air Ambulance in any way I can, so others can be as fortunate as me.”
Amanda McLean, CEO at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: “Paul’s story is remarkable and shows how, together with our ambulance service colleagues, we make a difference when minutes matter. We are thrilled to be featured throughout Series 2 of Emergency Helicopter Medics and viewers will see our iconic red helicopter attending a diverse range of incidents and our amazing crew bringing the expertise, equipment and treatment of the hospital to patients at the scene. We’re a charity and couldn’t do this vital, lifesaving work without the generosity of our supporters.”
We’re proud to be featured in the second series of TV’s Emergency Helicopter Medics.
The programme gives viewers a rare insight into the charity that provides advanced critical care to the most critically ill and injured in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire as it races against the clock to save lives.
Paul’s dramatic story was featured in this series.
