Fourteen-year-old Oscar from Bodmin was guest of honour at an ambulance service volunteer event
Fourteen-year-old Oscar from Bodmin, whose life was saved with the help of a South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) Community First Responder, was the guest of honour at an event where SWASFT volunteers from across Cornwall were celebrated.
Oscar was a fit and healthy 14-year-old, out riding his bike last November, when he collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Quick thinking bystander, Mike Trebilcock called 999 straight away, started CPR on Oscar and sent someone to collect a community access defibrillator.
A local Community First Responder (CFR) arrived at the scene shortly after the 999 call was made and continued to care for Oscar before an emergency response arrived. They were soon joined by a SWASFT ambulance and a Critical Care team.
Thankfully, Oscar’s heart was restarted and after spending time at University Hospital Plymouth and Bristol Children’s Hospital, he made a full recovery.
At the volunteer event in mid-June, held at Cornwall Air Ambulance’s base in Newquay, Oscar presented Mike with a Royal Humane Society Award for his quick-thinking actions which helped save his life.
Charlotte Hicks, Community Responder Officer – Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, at SWASFT, said: “The event at Cornwall Air Ambulance was an opportunity for us to thank our dedicated volunteers for all the support they offer to their local communities.
“It was also an opportunity for us to congratulate Mike for helping to save Oscar’s life. I would encourage anyone to learn CPR, so they too can help somebody in a medical emergency. To learn CPR and find out more information, visit SWASFT’s website.
“Volunteering for SWASFT is highly rewarding and means you’re a valued member of our team. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and learn valuable social and lifesaving skills through the training and ongoing support from the dedicated volunteering team.”
Emmie and Adam, Oscar’s mum and dad, said; “Without Mike’s knowledge of first aid and the CFR being so close, Oscar would not be here today. We urge as many people as possible to learn CPR, as Oscar is living proof that lives can be saved.”
Every day, volunteers from across Cornwall support the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) by attending emergencies within their local communities ahead of an emergency ambulance. Sometimes the difference is providing reassurance; sometimes it is saving someone's life.
SWASFT has over 500 active volunteers who support the service in patient-facing and non-patient facing roles. To find out about volunteering roles at the Trust and to express an interest, please visit - https://www.swast.nhs.uk/welcome/community-first-responders/volunteer-recruitment. The next recruitment for Cornwall will be in August, with training taking place in November.
Oscar and his family are raising money to buy public-access defibrillators in Cornwall, to donate, please visit - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/oscars-defib.