We recently reported on the new defibrillators which have been placed at our Leisure Centres and here is a story to show how vital these lifesaving machines are.
On the evening of 12th June, a passer-by raced into Irlam & Cadishead Leisure Centre and alerted Benny Norris, the Duty Manager on shift that a member of the public, Louis Lynch, had collapsed on the main road outside the facility and a de-fib was needed urgently.
Louis Lynch pictured with nurse Alex, who was passing at the time of Louis’ cardiac arrest.
Benny ran outside with the de-fib to Louis who was not breathing. Two nurses who happened to be passing were performing CPR on him. This was having no affect. Benny attached the defibrillator and administered 3 shocks, with CPR in between. After the third shock, Louis started to breathe. He was then placed in the recovery position until the paramedics and ambulance arrived five minutes later.
We’re delighted to report that Louis is now home recovering from a double heart bypass and had an ICD device fitted during a 5 week hospital stay.
Louis recently visited Benny at the leisure centre to thank him in person.
‘Benny helped to save my life following my sudden cardiac arrest outside the leisure centre. He had to shock me three times as I was unresponsive but his quick action together with others providing CPR saved my life. I don’t have the words to thank him or Salford Community Leisure for providing the defibrillator’.
Dawn Williams, Sport & Leisure Manager at SCL said ‘We are all so proud of Benny, his swift and heroic actions on the day undoubtedly saved Louis’s life. This lifesaving incident demonstrates the importance of having access to defibrillators and we are grateful to Salix Homes and For Housing for assisting with funding to replace nine defibrillators across our centres’.
Read more on the new defibrillators in place.
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