Paramedics based in Bargoed have been thanked by a pensioner who was resuscitated after suffering a heart attack.
Gerald Grainger, 69, from Bedlinog, Merthyr Tydfil, suffered chest pains at his home on Bedw Road on Thursday June 27, before going into cardiac arrest on the way to hospital.
Mr Grainger, a father-of-three, said: “The crew came and did their observations but nothing was showing, so I didn’t want to go to hospital. Then the pain started to get worse and I knew I was in real trouble.
“Not many people get a second chance, but I did. The crew must have worked their socks off to bring me back around.
“I saw white lights, the tunnel, the lot. But they must have been full that day because I’m still here. I can’t thank them enough.”??
Paramedic Vanessa Hughes and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Jamie Shore, who are both based at Bargoed ambulance station, performed an emergency stop on the roadside to administer life-saving CPR.
Paramedic Vanessa was with Mr Grainger in the back of the ambulance.
She said: “We were having a perfectly normal chat about his life, when suddenly he said: “They’re coming for me – they’re here”, and with that he went into cardiac arrest.
“I shouted to Jamie to stop the vehicle and give me a hand in the back. We shocked Mr Grainger once with a defibrillator, and then I began to do CPR.
“After a couple of minutes he came back fighting – it was bizarre to say the least.”??
EMT Jamie, who has worked for the Welsh Ambulance Service for nine years, added: “Mr Grainger was out for about five minutes before he came round.
“What we did is exactly what we are trained to do, so it’s rewarding when your efforts pay off – I’m pleased to hear Mr Grainger is doing so well.”??
Nick Smith, Welsh Ambulance Service Head of Services for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board area, said: “We are all so proud of both Jamie and Vanessa on a job well done.”
Mr Grainger, who has now given up his 17-year smoking habit, spent six days at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, followed by three days at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.