Community first responder praised for restarting man’s heart after cardiac arrest

Phil Fuller was on a community first responder (CFR) shift when he responded to a call from a man experiencing chest pain a short drive from his home.

Phil had intended to finish his shift at midnight but when the call came in at 11.45pm on the 17th October he contacted dispatcher George Sorkin in the Chelmsford Emergency Operations Centre to offer to attend.

The decision by George to send Phil to the job almost certainly saved the life of Robert McWilliams, 75.

Robert had been experiencing chest discomfort pain for around a fortnight which he put down to indigestion. The pain had become more central and intense which woke him from his sleep and prompted his wife, Christine, to call 999.

Phil arrived ten minutes after the 999 call and began taking observations on Robert which initially came back as normal. However, 15 minutes into the assessment Robert took an agonal gasp and went into cardiac arrest.

Phil requested urgent back-up for a cardiac arrest and started a round of CPR before giving Robert a shock with a defibrillator provided by the EEAST Charity.

When analysing for a second shockable rhythm, Robert began breathing for himself and he soon resumed a normal heart rhythm – known as a return of spontaneous circulation.

Back-up arrived soon after with an ambulance - staffed by paramedic Winston Chin, emergency medical technician Simon Knight and student paramedic Megan Bird – and ambulance officer vehicle with senior paramedic and leading operations manager James Beck. Another ambulance also attended with emergency medical technician Toby Henshaw.

An Electocardiogram (ECG) was sent to cardiologists at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon Hospital who agreed that Robert should be taken directly there for treatment.

He spent three days in Essex Cardiothoracic Centre before being discharged on the Sunday and has since made a good recovery.

He visited Southend Ambulance Station with his wife, Christine, to say thank you two months after his life was saved.

Robert said:

“I can’t praise the team enough for saving my life and it was great to meet them all.

“I vividly remember Phil but not much else and I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been there. “Thankfully, he was and they worked together amazingly to save my life.”

Phil Fuller said:

“It’s quite emotional and a great feeling knowing that you have saved someone’s life.

“I’m just grateful that I was there when Robert went into cardiac arrest and that I was able to use my training to save his life.

“I was a CFR before I joined EEAST and I love every minute of working and volunteering for my community.”

Claire Ruddy, community response manager at EEAST, said:

“Robert’s good outcome was down to Phil being with him when he went into cardiac arrest so he could start CPR immediately.

“If Phil hadn’t attended, he may not have had the lifesaving intervention needed in time as the service was under significant pressure at the time.

“This shows the lifesaving difference CFRs can make and we are always on the look-out for more volunteers in Essex and regionally. Anyone interested in becoming a CFR can find out more on our website.”