A school boy, who has just been taught how to perform CPR, had to put his new-found skills to the test when a pensioner had a heart attack on a bus.
Newcastle based Year 11 student Bailey Shore was on the X87 bus on his way to Benfield School, when he noticed something strange about the man sat opposite
“I thought he was asleep and snoring until I noticed his blue lips,” said Bailey. “During Wellbeing Week we had received CPR training in school but I never imagined that I would need these skills so soon.
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Ross Fowkes, a neurology doctor with The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was also onboard, and 15 year old Bailey helped him resuscitate the stricken passenger by performing heart compressions for around 10 minutes until paramedics arrived.
“As the doctor was checking the man’s pulse I said that I knew how to do CPR and could I help? He said yes so I started giving the gentleman chest compressions. We kept swapping over as it is exhausting. You have to push down really hard and my arms were aching."
“An ambulance arrived pretty quickly and paramedics took over. It was only then that I realised I was shaking and felt a bit upset so I went home and the doctor rang my school to tell them what had happened.”
The man survived his ordeal and was discharged from hospital two weeks later safe and well. His granddaughter said: “That took so much bravery and courage and, for someone so young, we as a family find this remarkable."
“The fact that he didn't panic and leapt into action has played a huge part in saving my granddad’s life for which we as a family will be eternally grateful."
“Everyone should be extremely proud of the lovely young man who has represented your school so well. My granddad and our whole family will be forever grateful for Bailey’s actions.”
Bailey is considering studying automotive engineering at college after he leaves school – though now he is also thinking about training to be a paramedic.
“The paramedics responded so well and it was so impressive watching them at work,” he said.
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