Farningham Division save life of Pacemaker patient

 

When assisting SECAmb with support from its 4x4 ambulances during the snowy conditions in December 2010, the crew from the Farningham Division were the difference when they saved the life of a man with a serious heart condition.

The crew were called to attend to John Evans. The Maidstone local had taken a fall a couple of days previously and suffered a head injury. The ambulance crew quickly realised the head injury was not their main concern. 

Graham Palmer, St John Ambulance Farningham Division, who attended the incident said, 'We quickly realised John's heart condition was the greatest concern.'

En route to the hospital the Evans' condition deteriorated. His heartbeat dropped to 26 and then down to 19 beats a minute. Fortunately, the third person in the crew was a nurse fully qualified in resuscitation techniques.

'On arrival at Maidstone Hospital staff sprang into action and were able to save John's life, by fitting him with a pacemaker. We were later told by hospital staff, that if it wasn’t for the speed and treatment the crew provided, it's highly likely John would not have survived.

John is alive and appreciating life back at home with his new pacemaker. In this case St John Ambulance really was the difference.