Alderney cardiac arrest survivor encourages islanders to learn CPR during Restart A Heart Week.

Alderney’s volunteer Community First Responders and the island’s full-time ambulance crew then arrived on scene and after ongoing treatment Fran’s heart started beating again.

Fran who works part-time at an Estate Agents says her recollection of the events of the day are vague: “I had gone to do a viewing on a property, to show Sam around. I walked in — and that is about it. The first thing I remember was waking up in Alderney hospital and then again in Southampton”

Mother Samantha explained what happened when Fran collapsed: “I’d learned CPR years ago, and I’d done a Restart a Heart refresher course only the week before. I grabbed my phone and dialled 999, and the call handler told me to start CPR. I just went into autopilot and kept going, telling Fran, ‘Don’t die on me.’ It felt like forever, but then I heard the sirens, and suddenly there were people all around us.”

Mother Samantha added: “The training was absolutely paramount. As a priest, I believe God was in all of this. It was the right place and the right time for me to be there for Fran.”

Fran who previously volunteered with the Alderney ambulance service said: “I’ve done CPR myself in the past, but everyone should learn CPR. It could be your son or daughter or your mum or dad or brother who collapses next to you. I don’t think anyone should be without those skills, even children.”

Matthew McAllister Wilding who was on the ambulance crew that day said: “This is what Restart A Heart week is all about. This case is a great example of why it is so important to know what to do and having the confidence to acting quickly. When someone collapses and stops breathing normally, it is important to act quickly and call 999.”

Jim Cathcart Team Leader for Alderney explained: “CPR can double the chances of survival and the survival rates go up again if a defibrillator is available.  Fran’s story is one of several cases from Guernsey and Alderney in recent years where people are alive today thanks to a member of the public doing CPR and use of an AED.”

Jim explained: “The call taker will instruct you how to perform CPR, but recent research shows that 42% of people lack the confidence or skills to perform CPR – and only 14% of people feel confident to use an AED, so having the training is a great help. These are skills for life and I would encourage everyone in our community to learn these skills, because one day it could help save a life”