Oxford woman who survived cardiac arrest incident bakes cakes for ambulance crew

An Oxford woman who was revived after a cardiac arrest has met the ambulance crew that rushed her to the hospital.

At the start of 2025, Mandy – who did not reveal her last name – was found collapsed in her Oxford home and not breathing, following complaints of chest pain.

Having been discovered, her daughter performed CPR she had learned in military training, while a separate daughter ran for the nearby defibrillator.

Meanwhile, Mandy’s husband got a neighbour who they knew was a retired medical professor.

Six minutes after the 999 call, the first ambulance from the South Central Service (SCAS) arrived, and the team subsequently used their defibrillator to give Mandy’s heart one shock, which got it beating again.

A second ambulance and helicopter medics supported the treatment and within an hour of the original call she was in hospital.

When there, doctors diagnosed the form of heart attack, leaving Mandy with only some sore ribs from the CPR. She was back home nine days later.

Following the ordeal, she joined a cardiac survivor’s group on social media which was where she learned she could meet the crews who helped save her life.

Mandy has since done so, bringing handmade cakes in although her husband said she isn’t a regular baker.

On meeting them, she said: “It made me realise how lucky I am, how grateful I am and what a deeply valuable job that they do.”

She also said she thought it was beneficial for the ambulance team to meet her and to see the results of their work.

There are often defibrillators placed at strategic public locations (Image: Public) Since January, the whole family have been on a CPR course and encourage everyone to do so as they consider it a life-saving skill.

Paramedic Paul agreed and said: "This was a fantastic outcome for Mandy and her family.

“Huge credit for this goes to Mandy’s family and neighbour for starting CPR before the ambulance arrival.

“CPR saves lives, and I would encourage everyone to attend a first aid course and learn this skill.”