'She saved my life that day' - Newcastle lecturer thanks colleague who provided CPR during cardiac arrest

A Newcastle College lecturer has thanked a colleague for saving her life by performing CPR when she went into cardiac arrest in her office. Karen Pyle, 53, experienced the medical emergency earlier this year.

Speaking on the annual Restart a Heart Day, she spoke of how vital knowledge of CPR can be - which is something she knows first hand. Karen said it had been a "normal day at work" until, suddenly, all she can remember is waking up at the city's Freeman Hospital. She found out later how colleague Jessica Beni had undertaken CPR until the emergency services arrived.

She said: "I came in for a normal day at work, really. A student had asked to speak to myself and Jess confidentially. We went to Jess's office and sat down - and obviously then I don't know anything until I woke up at the Freeman. But I know what has happened. I did take unwell within the room and Jess obviously had to perform CPR.

"It's really important to me that our students are having the chance to learn about how to do CPR. It's really important for the students - and staff will be learning too. It's really important to raise awareness of the importance of CPR. You never know when you might need it and it's the importance of being able to act in the moment.

"I don't think words can express how grateful I am - but I am - I'm very grateful that she did perform the CPR until the medics did arrive. Essentially she did save my life that day."

On the day - October 16, more than 200 students at Newcastle College took part in lifesaving CPR training. This comes amid a programme of training carried out by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) in recent weeks at schools and colleges around the region. By the end of October, it's thought 1,475 youngsters from the age of 10 will have had training sessions.

Speaking further about what she went through, Karen said: "I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time because if it had been a bit earlier, I could have been travelling to work or alone at home. I wanted the story told because this can happen to anyone and I am here to tell the story.

“It is scary to think about doing CPR and I don't think you will ever be prepared for what happens. But being somewhere when it happens and not knowing what to do is scary too. The more people trained, the more lives that can be saved. You hope you never have to use it, but if the moment comes, you could save the life of a friend, family member, teacher, colleague or even a stranger.”

For Jessica, 39, who is assistant head of curriculum, what she needed to do quickly became obvious. She called for help, and while a colleague called 999 she stayed with Karen and began providing chest compressions.

She said: “When Karen collapsed, my training kicked in, but nothing quite prepares you for performing CPR on a colleague who is also a friend. It was emotional and frightening, but I knew I had to keep going. I could hear the 999 call handler encouraging us to continue, and I focused on doing everything I could until the ambulance crew arrived.

“Even if you have never performed CPR before, please don’t be afraid to try. If you’re unsure what to do, call 999 and listen to the instructions you’re given. You could make the difference between life and death.”

She explained she had been doing compressions while tears ran down her face. Meanwhile, NEAS team-members including health advisor Alison Ainsley and communications officer Elliot Kalthoeber were supporting the emergency services response.

Paramedics Thomas Hodge and Lucy Richardson, newly-qualified paramedic Alastair Woods, specialist paramedic Graeme Cutty, ambulance support practitioners Richard Lishman and Neil 'Bobby' Moore, and clinical team leader Andrew Holmes all attended the scene before Karne was rushed to the RVI.

She was transferred to the Freeman where she had a stent fitted. Despite a challenging recovery, Karen returned to work two and a half months later.

North East Ambulance Service figures reveal the service attended more than 6,200 cardiac arrests across the region last year - with health advisors often supporting members of the public to do CPR over the phone.

Paul Brolly, community resuscitation officer at NEAS, said: "When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make the difference between life and death, which is why it is so important that people of all ages have the confidence to act. If someone collapses and is not breathing normally, call 999 immediately.

"Our health advisors will talk you through performing CPR while our crews are on their way, and a defibrillator can help give that person the best possible chance of survival.

“You do not need to be a healthcare professional to save a life. You could be a student, a colleague, a friend or a complete stranger. What matters is being ready to act when someone needs you.”

Referring to such cases where members of the public step in, Paul continued: “Every one of these stories begins with someone taking action. That person might be a colleague, a friend, a family member or a stranger. They may not be wearing a green uniform, but what they do in those first few minutes can make all the difference.

“Knowing CPR means you can give someone a chance while our crews are on their way. You could be the person who helps someone survive and return home to the people they love. The first person to respond to a cardiac arrest may not be wearing a green uniform. It may be you.”