Saving a man’s life in gym inspires nurse-led first aid course
Posted 13 October 2023 - 14:06
Emergency nurse Kayleigh Garcia’s swift actions led to creation of training with colleague to educate the public in first aid procedures and CPR
A nurse who saved a man’s life after he collapsed on a treadmill while at the gym has joined forces with an emergency department colleague to launch a nurse-led first aid training course for the public.
Kayleigh Garcia was watching her daughter’s swimming lesson at a sports centre in Liverpool in April when 40-year-old Ste O’Grady experienced a cardiac arrest while running in the gym.
As most onlookers stood aghast, unaware of what to do, Ms Garcia’s nursing training kicked in. She moved Mr O’Grady, who was trapped between two machines, and immediately began CPR after he stopped breathing.
‘I just went into work mode’
‘I saw a commotion in the gym so I went over to see if I could help; the staff told me someone had collapsed and hit their head,’ Ms Garcia told Nursing Standard.
‘The gentleman was trapped between two treadmills, and I could see he was practically blue. I moved him out as he basically took his last breath and I immediately started CPR and asked staff to get the defibrillator and call an ambulance.
‘It was the first time something like that had happened to me in everyday life. I just went into work mode, but later when the adrenaline wore off I sort of broke down.’
Nurse shocked by bystanders’ lack of CPR knowledge
Ms Garcia, who has worked in emergency departments in the NHS for more than 12 years, said she was taken aback at the response of the public who were unaware of how to do CPR or basic first aid.
‘Everyone was standing around paralysed, no one had even turned off his machine, which was banging against his head. I was really shocked,’ she said.
Incident inspires first aid training business
Ms Garcia shared the experience with her friend and fellow emergency nurse at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Jennie Goldie, and the two decided to launch their own nurse-led first aid training business.
Nurse Aid Professionals is set to launch later this month, with the pair preparing to deliver first-aid training for individuals and businesses, as well as paediatric first-aid training and basic knowledge sessions on choking, meningitis, seizures and fevers for new parents.
‘The RCN had to give permission to allow us to register the business with the word ‘nurse’ in the title, but it was really important to us,’ said Ms Goldie.
‘We have more than 30 years of nursing experience between us, and we’ve seen it all, so it was a matter of professional pride.’
Man in gym forever grateful for nurse’s actions
Ms Garcia was later reunited with Mr O’Grady who made a full recovery after being fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Mr O’Grady said: ‘I owe Kayleigh everything. She saved my life.’
Learn more about the training
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