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There’s a chain of survival for cardiac arrest and it starts with early recognition. Then there’s early CPR, early defibrillation, and early response from medical services; take away any of these factors, and there’s a significant reduction in survival rates.

On 5 November, John was playing golf with friends Adrian, Colin and Clive when he stumbled back and fell to the ground. His friends arrived at John’s side to find him not breathing.

Adrian, Clive and Colin knew what to do. Clive immediately called 111, while Adrian and Colin started CPR. There was no time to get emotional; John needed them.

Together, John’s friends started the chain of survival.

Within minutes of calling 111, First Responder Craig arrived. Then Paramedics Kristy, Mark, Andre, and Derek made it to the scene and immediately got the defibrillator ready to shock John’s heart.

Together, after many shocks to John’s heart, the team manage to get his heart beating again.

After a long recovery, John is now home with his family.

But the story doesn’t end here. John and his family wanted to make sure others could be part of the chain of survival.

They organised for Heartbeat Co-ordinator Amy Williams to run a CPR training day for friends and family – with about 30 people attending.

Our Heartbeat programme trains schools, businesses and community groups and provides crucial CPR skills to help save a life. Thanks to the Lloyd Morrison Foundation, the training is free throughout Wellington and Wairarapa.

Amy says it was very emotional and was the first time she’d got to meet and work with a survivor’s family.

“It was really nice to meet John and the guys who helped save his life. There were a variety of people and a range of ages who attended and learnt something new at the Heartbeat event,” Amy says.

“The chain of survival wouldn’t happen without people who are willing to learn what’s needed. It’s always nice to see more people learn CPR and prepared to help.”

Book your CPR training session now.