A ‘LUCKY’ dad from Leamington is urging companies to register defibrillators after one saved his life following sudden cardiac arrest.
Ripon Danis was heading home from a Muay Thai class when he suffered cardiac arrest – when the heart suddenly stops beating – at a train station three years ago, aged 37.
Several passers-by rushed to his aid, performing CPR, before using a defibrillator to help restart his heart.
His warning comes follows the establishment of a new national database -The Circuit – in which those who own and maintain defibrillators can register the device. This means 999 call handlers can direct someone at the scene to retrieve it while they wait for the ambulance to arrive.
Currently around one in 13 people survive cardiac arrest and it is hoped the move will drastically improve the figure.
Ripon, who works as a public health official, was among the lucky few who survive cardiac arrest, thanks to the use of the nearby defibrillator.
The dad-of-two said: “I was in the best shape of my life before my cardiac arrest. I exercised regularly and watched what I ate, I felt invincible. That’s why I never thought I would have a cardiac arrest.
“I was fortunate that a passer-by acted quickly and ran to get a defibrillator from the station while another person started giving me CPR.
“But I was one of the lucky ones. If it weren’t for a defibrillator and CPR, not only would I not be alive, but I wouldn’t have gone on to have my second daughter. A defibrillator and CPR ultimately saved my life, and I dread to think what the outcome would have been if there wasn’t a defibrillator nearby.
“I would urge defibrillator guardians to register their defibrillator now, to help save more lives.”
The British Heart Foundation is among organisations promoting the new UK-wide database.
Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest and, alongside CPR, prompt use of a defibrillator is critical in giving them the best chance of survival. To put it simply, knowing where the nearest defibrillator is could be the difference between life and death.
“The Circuit is pioneering technology which will help emergency services direct bystanders more quickly to a defibrillator when someone collapses with a cardiac arrest. But for The Circuit to save lives, it is vital that the tens of thousands of unregistered defibrillators across the UK are put on the system.
“If you, or somebody you know is a defibrillator guardian, then we urge you to register your device on The Circuit. You could help save a life.”
Visit TheCircuit.UK for more information or to register a defibrillator for free.
