New Defibrillator Makes All the Difference in Irlam

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. A de-fib was needed urgently.

Benny ran outside with the de-fib and found Louis, who was not breathing. Two nurses, who happened to be passing at the time of the incident, were performing CPR on him. Sadly, their efforts were having no affect. Benny attached the defibrillator and administered 3 shocks, continuing with CPR  compressions in between. After the third shock, Louis started to breathe. He was then placed in the recovery position until the paramedics and ambulance arrived around five minutes later.

We’re delighted to report that Louis is now home recovering from a double heart bypass. Following the incident, he 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, along with the new defibrillator, 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’.

Salford Community Leisure Sport & Leisure Manager, Paul Bland commented that:

“Without the assistance from Salix Homes & For Housing, funding the new equipment would have been more challenging, these new units will give us piece of mind for several years to come.”

Paul would also like to thank North West Ambulance Service and in particular their member of staff Joanne Thwaites for her knowledge, support and assistance in sourcing the new equipment.

Salford Community Leisure have also gifted their previous defibrillators to North West Ambulance Service who will re-distribute them to local community groups across Greater Manchester in the coming months.

All of our Leisure Centres have a defibrillator on site – to find your local leisure centre CLICK HERE 

To find a nearby defibrillator, wherever you are – VISIT HERE