Craig Jarvis, Andrew Wildsmith, and Glyn Beaumont work on the shop floor at Conservatory Outlet. The trio helped Maciej Kucharski last month after he suffered six cardiac arrests.
Quick Action and Teamwork: Life-Saving Efforts
The trio immediately reacted by performing CPR and giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. They also briefed the ambulance service on the situation. After using the defibrillator, the paramedics were able to revive him. Kucharski, who is 63 years old, is back home after having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted and is expected to make a full recovery.
First Aid Training: Preparing for Life-Threatening Situations
“I only completed my first aid training three weeks before, and never did I expect to have to put it to use so quickly,” said Wildsmith, Production Operative at Conservatory Outlet. “The CPR I learned was fresh in my mind. I was able to perform it on Maciej, whilst Glyn supported me, clearing his airways and giving mouth-to-mouth. Time freezes when you’re in this moment, but we just kept going until the paramedics arrived - they were fantastic.”
Leadership and Support: Working as a Team to Save a Life
Jarvis, who oversaw liaison with the ambulance service, said: “Maciej is so well-liked in the factory, he’s a real gentleman. I’m just pleased that the three of us could give him the best chance of surviving, and we’re delighted that he’s now on the mend. Hopefully, we’ll see him back on the production line before too long.”
Investing in First Aid Training for Better Workplace Safety
The company is urging more companies to invest in for their staff and ensure they install defibrillators on-site. Karen Starkey, Head of HR, said: “We are so proud of what Craig, Glyn, and Andrew did and how they reacted to what was a very traumatic experience. “They worked as a team, kept calm and then used their training to perform CPR. They never left his side until he was safely on his way to the hospital – that’s what you call the best colleagues. “It has reaffirmed the importance of having qualified first aiders and life-saving equipment on site."
First Aid Training: A Commitment to Safety and Health
Conservatory Outlet employs 180 people and currently has 15 first aid trained staff across its different shifts. It plans to increase its first aid trainers this year as part of its commitment to World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Starkey said: “We are going to invest in even more first aid training and medical training for our staff. Since the emergency happened, a lot of people have put their names down and want to learn so that they can provide support, whether at home, at work, or out and about. “I’d encourage every business to provide free and open access to proper first aid training for its staff members and ensure that defibrillators are installed on-site. It makes a massive difference. As we’ve seen, it could be the difference between life and death.”
Recognising the Heroes: Awarding Life-Savers
Glyn, Craig, and Andrew were presented with an award and a gift by the senior management team at Conservatory Outlet yesterday in recognition of their life-saving efforts.
