Restart a Heart Day - a real life saving story
A regular gym session at Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre on May 6, 2025, turned into a life-saving moment when a member, Madan, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest inside the gym. Thanks to the quick thinking and teamwork of on-site staff — Naomi Tomkinson, Holly Tomkinson, Kelly Marcela Cuenu Castro, and Mike Price — immediate CPR and AED intervention was carried out before the arrival of emergency services.
By the time the paramedics and air ambulance crew arrived, Madan had been successfully resuscitated. The medical team later shared that without the rapid response and the use of the defibrillator, he would not have survived.
Madan has since made an incredible recovery and wanted to share his own words: “On the morning of May 6, 2025, using the bicycle to wind down after my workout is my last recollection before suffering a cardiac arrest. Seeing me motionless, a truly kind lady Naomi helped me and alerted the relevant people who administered CPR and used an AED device to shock me enough to regain consciousness.
Staff knowledge of CPR and the timely use of the AED device gave me the best hope of survival whilst waiting for the emergency services. Following this experience, I went on to New Cross Hospital to undergo a quadruple heart bypass procedure that has given me a second chance at life.
The quick response and confidence in administering CPR/AED have saved me from lasting damage and complications. Those valuable few minutes of action have meant the difference between life and loss, and I am living proof that your readiness truly matters. Life is precious – your actions didn’t just save a life, they saved my life, and as a result my mother has her son. I sincerely thank everyone for their involvement that day.”
We couldn’t be prouder of the team for their professionalism, composure, and training on that day. Their actions embody why regular training and readiness are vital — because you never know when those skills might save a life.
This Restart a Heart Day, let’s remember the importance of learning CPR and knowing how to use an AED — it truly can make the difference between life and loss.
