20-year-old Cardiac Arrest Victim Saved by St John Volunteers

9th October 2012

St John Wales volunteers saved the life of a 20-year-old student who suffered a cardiac arrest on a night out at a university in West Wales. 

James Cory was with friends when he suddenly collapsed on the dancefloor at Trinity St David University in Carmarthen in the early hours of Sunday morning on September 30.

An ambulance was called and the Sports Studies student was carried from the Students’ Union and taken outside by the security team.

St John Wales First Responders were in Carmarthen town centre when they received the call at 12:48am from ambulance control. The two volunteers were on the scene in less than five minutes.

St John volunteer, 27-year-old Andrew King, said: “We arrived to find the door staff and police officer had started basic life support by doing CPR. We quickly assessed the situation and found he was in full cardiac arrest and wasn’t breathing.”

 Mathew Jones, 21, who has been a St John member for three years, attached the defibrillator to the student’s chest and Andrew shocked him once bringing him back to life.

They maintained James’ airway and breathing until the ambulance crew arrived. Andrew then assisted the paramedic on route to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.

James, who regained consciousness the following Monday, is said to be recovering well and has met the two St John lifesavers to thank them.

 James said: “I don’t remember anything at all about what happened. I owe my life to Andy and Mathew. Without St John being able to respond so quickly, I wouldn’t be here today.

 "I had no idea that I was ill. I’m young, I keep fit and I never contemplated that something like this could happen to me. These volunteers are amazing and I’ll be forever grateful.”  

James, originally from Cornwall, is still in hospital undergoing tests to discover the cause for the cardiac arrest which still remains unknown.

 The second year student now wants all of his friends to learn first aid skills. “First aid is such an important skill to have and if what happened to me encourages more people to learn I will be happy,” said James.  

Every week in the UK at least 12 people under the age of 35 die from undiagnosed heart conditions.*

St John in Wales has launched a campaign to equip communities and key venues – including universities and colleges – with lifesaving AEDs (defibrillators) to prevent unnecessary deaths.

For every minute that passes without defibrillation chances of survival decrease by 10%. Research shows that applying a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible chances of survival.

Community First Responder volunteers are trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide lifesaving treatment until paramedics arrived. The scheme in Carmarthen operates as a community partnership between St John Wales and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

 To support our ‘Restart Your Heart’ campaign text ‘Life’ to 70099 to donate £2.