Scaffolder’s life saved by boss who put first aid training into action

Nathan said: “Just before he collapsed, Raj was about to drive a truck, and the outcome could have been very different had he been behind the wheel when he was taken ill. Or it could have happened when he was on the scaffolding and would have fallen from a height.

“I ran out to find Raj lying on the floor in our yard and, at first, it looked like he was having a seizure. At that point he was still conscious, so I put him in the recovery position.

“All the lads were standing around in disbelief. Then Raj made a kind of snoring sound before I realised he wasn’t breathing. I asked someone to call an ambulance, and the call was put on loudspeaker. The operator told me to start CPR, which I did.

“Raj’s son Harvey, who also works for us, came into the yard at the time and I told people to take him inside.

“I was giving chest compressions for around six or seven minutes before the ambulance arrived. The paramedics told me to carry on while they set up their equipment, including a mechanical CPR machine.

“They then used a defibrillator and after four or five shocks they got Raj’s heart going again. The paramedics are the real heroes.

“They were working on him for about 40 minutes before he was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.”

Raj, 52, was in hospital for over a week and had a stent fitted. He had also suffered a stroke and a heart attack and was in an induced coma for two days. He is still off work and recovering at his Willenhall home.

Nathan, who updated his training with a two-day refresher course at St John Ambulance’s Dudley base last February, added: “Two or three days after coming out of hospital, Raj phoned me to thank me for what I had done.

“The incident really affected everyone at the yard. We had to send some of the lads home, and it took a couple of days for everything to sink in. We have all known each other for years, we are all friends, and it did shake them up.

“I managed to remain calm, and from somewhere, at the back of my brain, the training came flooding back. I can’t express how important these first aid courses are. I never thought this moment would come but when I needed to act, I didn’t panic and the training kicked in.”

Raj recently visited the firm’s yard in Lye to thank Nathan for helping save his life.

He said: “I don’t remember anything about that day but thankfully I’m making a good recovery, and I owe it all to Nathan. What he did was amazing, he’s a real hero.

“If it wasn’t for him, I may not have made it. What he did took great courage and just shows how vital first aid is.

“After this happened my son Harvey, who works alongside me as a labourer, is keen to take up first aid training and a lot of the other lads are interested too.”

St John Ambulance has just completed a major transformation of the way it delivers workplace first aid courses.

The new focus is on hands-on practice, realistic workplace scenarios and learning that gradually builds throughout the course, so learners develop lasting skills and the confidence to apply them in real-life situations.

Lisa Sharman, Head of Education and Commercial Training at St John Ambulance, said: "Stories like this are exactly why we're continuing to evolve our training, using real scenarios to help more people build the confidence and competence to step forward in a real emergency.

“Because ultimately, this isn't just about people passing a course. It's about people retaining knowledge, remembering critical skills, feeling confident in applying them and stepping in when it matters most.

"For Nathan, the experience is proof that first aid training isn't just about gaining a qualification, it's about being ready when someone needs you most."

And the scaffolding boss believes the emphasis on practical learning will attract more people in the construction industry to take up first aid training.

Nathan added: “Making the training completely hands-on will appeal to a much wider audience, especially in our industry where many may not be so comfortable with written assessments.

“I know a more practical approach is something our lads would relate to. It would help them digest and retain information better so they would know what to do and be ready to step up should the need arise.”

Sign up or for more information about St John Ambulance's new-look First Aid at Work courses.