'Hands-only CPR helped save my husband'

A quiet January afternoon turned into a life-or-death struggle for Terry Ejerfeldt when her husband collapsed in cardiac arrest.

Terry describes the moment her partner of 10 years, Patric (pictured), collapsed on the sofa at their home in Milton Keynes as “terrifying”.

“One moment I was talking to Patric about football and the next his face just went completely blank,” she said.

“I thought he was messing about at first but when he dropped his tea cup and slumped backwards I knew something was seriously wrong.”

I’d seen the TV advert with Vinnie Jones and I knew exactly what to do

Doctors later said father-of-two Patric had suffered a cardiac arrest and it was only Terry’s quick thinking and prompt Hands-only CPR that prevented possible brain damage, and maybe saved his life. Hands-only CPR means pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest to the beat of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees.

Terry, 53, said: “I immediately called 999 and the operator shouted at me to get Patric onto his back. He banged his head hard on the floor when I managed to roll him off the sofa but it meant I could start Hands-only CPR.

“I’d seen the British Heart Foundation’s TV advert with Vinnie Jones and, with the help of the 999 operator, I knew exactly what to do. I probably stayed a lot calmer because I had seen that advert.

“It was a terrifying experience but I just did what I had to do. I’m a big fan of Vinnie anyway and the ad really stuck in my mind. The humour in the advert helps to get across the message in a very simple way.”

Defibrillator

An ambulance arrived five minutes after Terry rang 999. Paramedics then used a defibrillator to shock Patric’s heart back into a normal rhythm. The 53-year-old was rushed to Milton Keynes General Hospital where he underwent tests to see what caused the cardiac arrest, a condition which means your heart stops pumping blood around the body. Terry says her husband is now recovering well from the ordeal.

Despite her heroics, Terry is modest about her life-saving actions. She said: “The doctors and paramedics told me the CPR quite likely saved Patric's life, keeping the blood moving until the ambulance crew arrived.

“I didn't know if I was doing it correctly but just listened to the 999 operator and remembered the Vinnie ad. Anyone can do this - please try and you might save someone who means the world to you.”