Katie’s first aid story – the importance of CPR

Katie had previously completed a British Red Cross First Aid at Work course in Yeovil, when a resident at the retirement development she manages, Andy, was found with agonal breathing (gasping for air) in a corridor, before his breathing stopped and he became unresponsive.

Reflecting on the experience, Katie recalls: “There was no time to stop and think about what was happening. Instincts kicked in immediately.”

Drawing on the skills gained through her first aid training, Katie pulled an emergency cord on her way to assist the resident, called for someone to phone 999, and began chest compressions whilst the emergency call handler remained on loudspeaker.

Katie was quickly joined by others who stepped in to help. She explained, “Alice, our local post lady, had just arrived at the building and was a great support with counting and keeping pace whilst I did the compressions.”

Katie was also supported by a member of the Older Person Community Mental Health Team, who helped in delivering rescue breaths.

Working together, they provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and were able to get Andy breathing again. They put him in the recovery position and stayed with him to monitor his condition until paramedics arrived shortly afterwards.

Alice Squires, training product manager at Red Cross Training added, “We know that taking the first step in an emergency can feel daunting, but once somebody chooses to act, it often encourages others to get involved and support the response too.”

Andy was transferred to hospital, where he later underwent surgery.

Katie reflected, “In the moment, the training takes over and you focus on what needs to be done.”

For Katie, the experience has reinforced the importance of first aid training, and she is now a keen advocate of raising awareness around learning CPR.

Katie added: “When performed immediately, CPR can make a lifesaving difference. It is such a simple skill that is so important to have as it can really make all the difference. I'm incredibly fortunate that FirstPort invests in first aid training for all of us through the British Red Cross.”

Alice added, "Successful outcomes following a cardiac arrest rarely come down to one intervention or one individual. They rely on a chain of survival, where people recognise that something is wrong, call 999, start CPR quickly, locate an AED if one is available, and then hand over to the advanced care provided by ambulance crews and hospital teams. CPR alone will not restart most hearts, but it can buy precious time and help keep oxygen circulating until specialist medical treatment can be delivered. That's why those first few minutes after a collapse are so important.”

Andy’s story is powerful reminder that becoming a first aider isn't just a tick box exercise; it's a skill that can help save a life.

And perhaps the strongest endorsement comes from Andy himself, who is now recovering well. Andy later thanked Katie and the team for their swift actions, saying he was grateful for the care he received and was pleased to be feeling great again.

Alice added, “Many people attend workplace first aid courses hoping they'll never need to use it. Stories like Katie's are a wonderful reminder of why those skills matter. Katie and the people around her chose to act when it mattered most, and because of that, Andy is still here to tell his story."

How to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing

1. Check if they are breathing. Tilt the head back – is their chest moving? Look, listen and feel for breaths.

• When a person is unresponsive, their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway, so they can no longer breathe. Tilting their head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue forward.

2. If they are breathing, move them onto their side and tilt their head back.

• Putting them in this position with their head back helps keep their airway open. It ensures their tongue falls forward and blood and vomit can drain out. It is sometimes called the “recovery position”.

3. Call 999.

Be prepared to help in an emergency like Katie

First aid skills save lives. Whether you're responsible for first aid in the workplace or want to boost your confidence in an emergency, book a First Aid at Work course with British Red Cross Training and gain the skills to make a difference when every second counts.