A HAILSHAM man who survived a cardiac arrest after receiving nine life-saving shocks has expressed his heartfelt thanks to the South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) clinicians who came to his aid.
Now aged 50, Simon Ford recently visited SECAmb’s Polegate Make Ready Centre with his partner Liz, where he was reunited with some of the team who helped save his life earlier this year.
On 25 January 2025, Simon was at his home working in the garden when he began to feel unwell with severe chest pain. His partner, Liz, and their daughter arrived home shortly after and called 999 for a suspected heart attack but Simon’s symptoms rapidly declined, and he stopped breathing.
Liz alerted a neighbour, an off-duty nurse, who started CPR ahead of ambulance crews’ arrival.
Advanced Paramedic Practitioner (APP), Matthew Templeman, arrived first on scene followed by Paramedics, Emily Dearman, Jonathan Upstone and Olivia Harnett, Student Paramedics, Hannah Lewis and Jenny Edwards, Associate Ambulance Practitioner/Technician (AAP), Robert Henderson, and Operational Team Leader (OTL), Claire Terry. The team delivered seven life-saving shocks with a defibrillator on scene and a further two while transporting him to hospital.
Hannah said: “This was my first cardiac arrest that I went to so to meet Simon again and see him doing so much better was really special.”
Olivia said: “Simon deteriorated again on the way to hospital, so we had to stop and give him another two shocks. I’m so relieved he is doing so well, and it was lovely to meet him and Liz in much better circumstances.”
Simon’s partner, Liz said: “My heart dropped when I saw the ambulance stop on the way to the hospital. I thought this is it! When they started moving again, I was so relieved. I can’t thank everyone enough for what they did for Simon. Thanks to them, we get many more years as a family together.”
Simon said: “Although I don’t remember much of what happened, I can’t express how thankful I am to everyone that helped me that day. It’s scary to think how different things could have been and I am so grateful I get more time with my family. Thanks to our emergency service and hospital staff, I’ll get to meet another granddaughter who is on the way.”
With more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happening every year in the UK, and fewer than one-in-ten patients surviving, early intervention is crucial and learning CPR could save a life.
