education & training
So what is the Chain of Survival? RNLI Lifesaving Services Manager Peter Dawes explains: “The Chain of Survival refers to the series of actions that link together to increase the chances of survival should someone suffer a cardiac arrest. “Put simply, someone needs to recognise the problem and start the response: early CPR will buy time for the emergency services, early defibrillation is essential as the chance of survival reduces with every passing minute, and early advanced care pre-hospital and in hospital is essential.”
use for mouth-to-mouth. I started compressions and when Tim arrived he helped me with the oxygen.”
3
Rapid defibrillation
Shocking the chest with the defibrillator might be a whole new link in the chain, but the keyword here is ‘rapid’. Thanks to the honeymooners’ actions, the lifeguards were on the scene with their equipment within five minutes—greatly improving Sean’s chances. Jackson says: “While Tim was doing the breaths I got the defib out and attached the pads. I continued the compressions and then we gave the first shock. We then had to move him up the beach again, as the tide was coming in real quick. We delivered a second shock on the beach, and then our supervisor Anton arrived in the lifeguards truck.”
4
Advanced care pre-hospital
RNLI lifeguards on the scene have the equipment and training to deal immediately with casualties on the beach. But for serious medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, you want to get into paramedics’ care and on your way to hospital—fast. “When Anton arrived, we put the guy on the back of the truck and jumped on,” Tim says. “I continued CPR while Dave held onto the casualty’s head, and we drove to the top of the beach. At that point, the coastguard and paramedics were there and ready to take over. We did one last shock with our defibrillator and handed him over into their care.” Dave adds: “Most of the coastguards are trained paramedics. They’ve got lots of different machines, including one that does the compressions for them, freeing them up to start administering drugs and adrenalin. The ambulance paramedics and coastguards were working together for about 20 minutes—waiting for the helicopter to come in.”
5
Advanced care in hospital
The Royal Navy helicopter from Culdrose brought Sean to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, where continued care helped him make a steady, if slow, recovery. Dave says: “He was definitely lucky we were still on the beach. Literally five minutes later we would have been gone. And we’ve got the training and the equipment to deal with it, so that helps. To know that you’ve helped someone is a pretty good feeling.”
biographies Jackson Howell RNLI lifeguard
Jackson Howell is a Surf Life Saving WA lifeguard. He was on the RNLI exchange program in the UK at the time of this event.
Tim Robey RNLI lifeguard
Tim Robey lives in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, and has a strong surf life saving background with the Newquay Surf Life Saving Club.
Dave Kelly RNLI lifeguard
Dave Kelly lives in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, and has an ex-Forces background.
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