Weston cardiac arrest survivor reunited with lifesaving ambulance crew
A man from Weston-Super-Mare has been reunited with the ambulance crew from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) that helped save his life last year.
Keith Titchin collapsed at home in the early hours of Saturday 9 March 2024. His wife, Diane, was woken by unusual snoring noises and quickly realised Keith was unconscious. She immediately dialled 999 and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) under the guidance of the ambulance service call handler.
Emergency crews from SWASFT quicky arrived at the scene and provided further life-saving medical care, and Keith was conveyed to Bristol Royal Infirmary by land ambulance. While in hospital Keith had a total of three stents fitted and spent eight days in the Intensive Care Unit, before being transferred to the brain injury unit at Frenchay Rehabilitation Centre. This was due to mild brain hypoxia which was sustained during his cardiac arrest.
Keith has made a slow but steady recovery and on Monday 16 June he had the opportunity to meet some of the crew who attended to him at Nailsea Ambulance Station in Bristol.
Keith said: It was a real joy to meet Ben and Kieran today. Having the opportunity to thank, in-person, the people who saved my life was incredibly special. I am so thankful and grateful to them for everything they did for me.
Benjamin Lamb, Paramedic at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: It was such a pleasure to be reunited with Keith and Diane today. It is a fantastic feeling being reunited with patients and we are so pleased to see he is recovering well and living his life to the full.
More than 75% of cardiac arrests occur in the home, and without early intervention, the chances of survival decrease rapidly - with every passing minute without CPR reducing the likelihood of survival by 10%. This means individuals are more likely to perform CPR on a family member or friend than on a stranger. Learning CPR takes just a few minutes and could one day help save someone close to you.
Since returning home, Keith has gradually regained his strength, resumed gym sessions, and hopes to return to work in the coming months.
To find out how to learn CPR and locate your nearest defibrillator, visit the SWASFT website.
Photo left to right - Benjamin Lamb (Paramedic), Diane Titchin, Keith Titchin & Kieran Newton (Paramedic)