A football manager who had a cardiac arrest during a training session had his life saved by his goalkeeper - who is also a nurse. Philip Powell, 65, collapsed when his heart stopped in front of the Lampeter Ladies FC team.
But his life was saved when hospital nurse and team goalkeeper Amber Holland, 31, kicked into action. Amber only became a qualified nurse just last year but was quickly able to perform emergency first aid and revive Philip with a defibrillator.
He cannot remember what happened but Philip and daughter Estelle Rose credited the 'heroic' goalie for her actions in an emotional tribute. Philip, from Ysbyty Ystwyth, in Ceredigion, said: “I was running a training session when I suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed, and my heart stopped.
"One of the players, Amber Holland, followed her instinct and training by performing CPR on me with support and encouragement from other girls present. Another of the girls was sent to bring a defibrillator.
"Their actions that night kept me alive until paramedics arrived. Without their help I probably wouldn’t still be here to tell the tale.”
The retired engineer has also expressed his gratitude for the efforts his other players and the healthcare professionals from Hywel Dda University Health Board. The club has since arranged for members to go on first aid courses following the incident – and has urged other clubs in the west Wales divisions to do the same.
Ms Holland laughed off suggestions she was a hero and said that as a medical professional, she just did what had to be done. With the help of the girls, she got Philip into the recovery position, checked his airways, listened to his breathing, identified an irregular pulse and administered compressions.
She then attached a facility defibrillator, which any member of the public can operate, and it shocked Mr Powell’s heart back into action. She said: "It sounds cheesy but people in our profession have to do something don’t we? I just had to act.
“It was scary because ordinarily you’re in the hospital surrounded by your colleagues – but I can be quite calm in high pressure environments and the adrenaline encourages you to act in a timely manner.
"People don’t always know what to do if they’re outside of that profession. But I just went into nurse mode – we’re always on duty and it was just instinct if you see someone who needs help.”
