Posted 12 April 2023 - 13:52
Posted 12 April 2023 - 13:52
News
Off-duty nurse recalls saving a grandfather’s life on school run
Sam Moynes was collecting her daughter but swung into ‘work mode’ when Geof Turner went into cardiac arrest, using chest compressions and a defibrillator
Sam Moynes was collecting her daughter but swung into ‘work mode’ when Geof Turner went into cardiac arrest, using chest compressions and a defibrillator
An off-duty nurse saved the life of a grandfather whose heart stopped for 10 minutes while on the school run.
Nurse Sam Moynes was collecting her daughter from Swingate Primary School in Chatham, Kent when she found Geof Turner collapsed at the school gate after he experienced a cardiac arrest while waiting for his granddaughter on 22 March.
Nurse will ‘never forget feeling Geof’s pulse once we got him back’
Ms Moynes, a senior sister for Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) acute response team, said her brain kicked into ‘work mode’ when she rushed to help and discovered Mr Turner had no pulse.
She began chest compressions and, with the help of fellow parents and staff, Ms Moynes and the school first aider were able to restart Mr Turner’s heart after 10 minutes.
‘At first, I couldn’t believe I was delivering chest compressions while on the school run. It all happened so quickly and I am glad my brain entered work mode,’ said Ms Moynes.
‘I will never forget feeling Geof’s radial pulse once we got him back. I was so happy that he had survived and regained consciousness. It really is thanks to everyone’s efforts that he is still alive.’
Grandfather’s dignity was maintained during incident
Ms Moynes recalls that while she began CPR after finding Mr Turner, a parent called an ambulance and others ran to the school and brought back an automated external defibrillator (AED).
‘The school’s first aider and another parent helped to deliver chest compressions before and after I used the defibrillator to deliver the first shock,’ Ms Moynes recounted. ‘Meanwhile, the school’s caretaker found some tarpaulin for people to hold up to protect young eyes from seeing the traumatic scene, and parents and pupils were diverted through another gate to maintain Geof’s dignity.’
Just after Mr Turner’s pulse returned, paramedics arrived at the scene. He was given oxygen and an ECG before the ambulance took him to Medway Maritime Hospital where he was admitted to the coronary care unit for investigative work.
Nurse ‘was there at the right place at the right time’
A week later both Mr Turner and his daughter Emma were able to thank Ms Moynes personally after they were reunited on the unit where he is being cared for.
Mr Turner said: ‘It’s hard to express your feelings when someone saves your life, except that I am obviously very, very grateful. I’m most fortunate that Sam was there at the right place at the right time.
‘There was no indication of pain, there was no racing heartbeat, nothing at all to tell me there was a problem and the next thing I knew I was lying in hospital with a mask over my face wondering what on earth had happened.’
MFT chief executive Jayne Black added: ‘It is a truly remarkable story that helps highlight the importance of people learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation – also known as CPR. Well done to Sam and everyone involved with saving Geof’s life. You are all heroes.’
In other news