‘I’m very lucky’: Cardiac arrest survivor joins call for Tories to keep schools defib vow
Efforts to put life-saving defibrillators in every school in England by next summer could be put at risk due to shortages of the critical devices, MPs warn today.
The Government vowed to put defibrillators in all state schools by June 2023, with more than 20,000 needed to meet the target.
But global supply chain issues around replacement pads and batteries have sparked concerns about whether this crucial target will be met.
Tory former Schools Minister Jonathan Gullis urged the Government to deliver on its promise – and warned that lives could be lost if vital devices aren’t available. The Department of Education says it has had reassurances supplies won’t be delayed.
More than 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrests outside hospital every year in the UK – with a survival rate of just one in 10.
Benjamin Culff is one of the lucky ones. At just 17-years-old, he was struck by a cardiac arrest while working in a restaurant in his hometown of Tamworth, Staffordshire.
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He doesn’t recall the dramatic events of August 13 2017, as he only remembers finding himself being treated at the Royal Stoke Hospital two days later.
But Benjamin, who is now 23, knows that the quick thinking actions of his colleagues are why he’s still here today.
Public defibrillators, which can deliver a life-saving shock to the heart when it’s stopped beating, are used in less than 10% of cases, according to the British Heart Foundation.
The chance of meaningful survival from a cardiac arrest diminishes with every minute that passes. But research shows use of a defib within five minutes raises a person’s chance of survival by over 40%.
When Benjamin collapsed at the top of the stairs during a breakfast shift, his colleagues sprung into action and delivered critical first aid.
“You’re dead at that point, that’s how quick it is,” he says. “Luckily there was a defibrillator at reception, otherwise I wouldn’t be speaking about this today.”
His colleagues used the device to restart his heart twice and carried out CPR before the paramedics arrived.
Benjamin spent 11 days in hospital, including a night in intensive care.
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Before leaving hospital, he was given an implantable defibrillator known as an ICD. The matchbox-sized device is implanted into the chest to monitor for irregular heartbeats.
He has since been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, which can trigger abnormal heart rhythms. His mum and his older brother also found out they have it too but they are at a lower risk.
But Benjamin has a positive outlook, despite everything he’s been through, and uses his experience to campaign relentlessly for more defibs and better first aid training.
“I’ve always had a happy-go-lucky mindset in terms of making the most of life and just trying to be as happy and as positive in general,” he says.
“I knew how difficult it was for my family to see and deal with everything. My family were given the call to get to the hospital straight away because it might be the last time they could see me alive.”
He joked that he had “a good nap” while his family had to cope with the trauma of the incident.
“I wanted them to see me happy and ok. A lot of people can suffer brain damage and brain injuries after cardiac arrest – but due to the successful CPR and quick defibrillation, I have been allowed to have no brain damage, no permanent issues.
“I’m very lucky as it could have been a lot worse. That’s how I saw it.”
He praised the courage of those who stepped in to save his life.
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Benjamin, who now works as a video games designer, said: “Many people are afraid to use defibrillators and CPR and that’s another thing we need to try to counter.
“You can’t do any harm, you can only do good… I don’t think there’s a more rewarding thing you can do in life than save somebody’s life.”
Cross-party MPs are launching a public inquiry into shortages of the vital kit.
Mr Gullis, a former teacher who will chair a new parliamentary group on defibs, told the Mirror: “I think there’s a genuine fear that whilst you have supply shortages… and on top of obviously a huge order like that which needs to be fulfilled and economic pressures that Treasury and other departments are facing… is that target going to be hit?
“If it isn’t, how many young people like Benjamin[Culff] potentially could be in a situation where they don’t get access to that life-changing support?”
Mr Gullis called for better first aid training in schools and said he was keen to organise demonstrations in Parliament on how to use the medical devices.
“We’ve seen international footballers on the pitch and life-saving doctors come out of the stands but this could happen to anyone at any time,” he said.
“It’s super important that we make sure that the DfE(Department for Education) doesn’t lose sight of this important challenge, which it set itself.”
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He praised the Mirror for our campaign to ensure defibrillators are available in public buildings across the country.
Mr Gullis said: “Thank you to the Mirror for being at the forefront of this and being such a great champion.
“Let’s get a firm commitment from all political parties and let’s get a commitment from this Government, right here, right now, of what money they are going to put up to deliver for communities, to deliver for schools and ensure that we can save lives.”
Labour frontbencher Stephanie Peacock, who also intends to join the APPG, said, “Defibrillators are an essential piece of equipment for saving lives in public and private spaces. However, this means when defibrillators are broken or missing, lives may be tragically and unnecessarily lost.
“The current shortage of defibrillators and parts is an emergency, and every possible step must be taken to resolve it. “
Steven Brooks, chief medical officer for Rapid Response Revival, which is pledging to deliver up to 200,000 defibs to the UK in 2023, said: “If supply issues persist, the UK’s AED shortage stands to translate into more lives needlessly lost.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Defibrillators are life-saving devices and access to them is incredibly important, which is why we are making sure all schools in England have access to them.
“We are aware of the shortage of component parts and have been assured by our supplier that this will not delay the roll out of this crucial programme.”