Bristol cardiac arrest survivor reunited with ambulance crew who saved his life
A man from Bristol was reunited with the crew from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) who helped saved his life.
Tim Oxenham, 58, from Bristol suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in the early hours of Saturday 23 September 2023. Tim's partner Helen gave vital CPR until the Emergency crews from SWASFT arrived at the scene and provided further life-saving medical care.
Tim was conveyed by ambulance to Bristol Royal Infirmary and spent a further six weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). During this time, Tim had multiple organ failures and a hypoxic brain injury which affected his short-term memory. This resulted in Tim needing to learn to walk again as well as having an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) fitted.
Since returning home and on the road to recovery, Tim and his family, were reunited with the crew members who attended to him at Bristol Ambulance Station in Easton, Bristol on Monday 19 May.
Tim said: It was really special to have the opportunity to meet the amazing crews who came so quickly and saved my life. After suffering a cardiac arrest, I have been enjoying spending time with loved ones and am slowly getting back to a normal way of life. We are all incredibly thankful to the team who came to our rescue, and it was lovely to thank them in person.
Abi Elliott, Paramedic at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: It was wonderful to meet Tim and his family today. This was my first reunion for a cardiac patient, and it was an honour and privilege to have the opportunity to be part of Tim's recovery journey and I, and the team, wish him well on his journey to full health.
Since his recovery, Tim and his family have been making the most of life - even returning to their favourite event, Glastonbury Festival, in 2024, thanks to support from the accessibility team. Looking ahead, Tim and his fiancé Helen are also planning their wedding, which is set to take place in June 2025.
The exact cause of Tim's cardiac arrest is still unknown, but it could be linked to a rare, inherited genetic disorder called Brugada Syndrome. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms, including ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest. Tim is currently undergoing further genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Tim hopes that by sharing his story, he can raise awareness about the importance of learning CPR and recognising the signs of cardiac arrest.
He encourages everyone to take the time to learn these life-saving skills - because as his story shows, quick action really can mean the difference between life and death.
To learn more about CPR and how to get trained, visit the SWASFT website here.