A GYM enthusiasts who suffered a massive cardiac arrest which stopped his heart for five minutes has called for life-saving equipment to be stationed across the borough.
Jon Chard was mid-way through his daily exercise session when he collapse. But, thanks to the immediate availability of a defibrillator and the efforts of personal trainer Rosemary Cribb and gym regular Geoff Thomas the lucky 52-year-old has lived to tell the tale.
Without the equipment and the people who were trained to use it at the Arden Club, in Solihull town centre, Jon’s story could have and most likely would have been very different.
Jon and his family are now calling for more defibrillators to be stationed across the borough and for more people to be made aware of how to use them.
He said he owed his life to Rosemary and Geoff’s prompt actions.
“I will never be able to thank them enough.
“Without a defibrillator being available in the gym I would not have survived – these devices are low cost and fully automated so anyone can use them in an emergency.
“I urge everyone to appreciate the value of defibrillators as I am living proof that they can make the difference between life and death.”
A Arden Club spokesperson added all their staff went on a training course in February so they knew CPR and how to use defibrillators properly.
“Jon’s heart stopped for five minutes.
“In that time he was shocked twice and continued to be treated between shocks – without the actions that were taken by Rosemary and Geoff there would’ve been a high chance Jon wouldn’t have survived.
“We’re continuing to educate members of staff at the club and our gym members.”
More than 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests take place each year and for every minute which passes without the use of a defibrillator, the person’s chance of surviving decreases by ten per cent.
Lifesaver Rosemary Cribb told the paper: “Jon was on the treadmill and I noticed he stopped, it was then that he fell to the ground and I immediately realised what was wrong.
“I didn’t have time to think that I’m dealing with someone’s life here, I was trained and knew what to do and everything ran smoothly.
“Myself and Geoff used the defibrillator whilst other people in the gym at the time called 999.
“The defibrillator was fantastic, it guided us through the steps and stated whether we needed to speed up or what to do – thankfully all staff underwent a training course five months ago.”
