Hucknall man’s life saved thanks to Nottinghamshire Healthcare colleague’s CPR skills

A Hucknall man who suffered a cardiac arrest while on his way to work has thanked the man whose quick-thinking actions potentially saved his life.

Martin Chilton (56) received immediate CPR intervention from passer-by Guy Gladston, a Senior Assistant Clinical Psychologist at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, after he collapsed at Broad Marsh Car park in Nottingham.

Using the skills he had learned through the Trust’s Basic Life Support training, Guy worked with other members of the public to give Martin CPR until the emergency services arrived.

“Guy is our hero, he saved my life and we will be forever thankful,” said Martin. “He’s not a stranger to us, he’s family now.  Guy your quick-thinking actions saved my life - Thankyou again.

“Learning a stranger had stepped in and performed CPR was amazing, I’m ever so thankful, he did a good job as my ribs hurt for weeks on where he broke them. Sometimes necessary to save a life and a small price to pay. His quick-thinking actions meant I lived to tell the tale.

“There should be more people like Guy trained up in all work places, I heard he never hesitated and got straight to work. He performed CPR for 22 mins until the air ambulance arrived.”

It’s a day which bus driver Martin, of Shortwood Avenue, remembers little of as he continues his road to recovery.

“I don’t remember anything about the incident only what I’ve been told,” he said. “I remember going to work as usual and kissing my wife Allyson goodbye. I drove to the forest and then got a tram into work. The last thing I remember was stepping on the kerb and the rest is history.

“I first learned what had happened when I was woke up seven days later from a coma, I had numerous infections I was fighting and three blood transfusions.

“I do have some brain damage and loss of memory after what happened, I was also on the cardio rehabilitation programme but recently fell off a ladder and broke two ribs so I’ve not completed it yet. I’m tired easily but thankful for everyday.

“Recovery is a long process, I think it’s my wife that’s struggling as she’s the one that sat by my bed side in critical care for seven days not knowing if I would pull through as the clinicians said they was unsure.”

Guy’s quick-thinking actions have also been praised by Becky Sutton, Chief Operating Officer at Nottinghamshire Healthcare.

“Guy’s actions are an outstanding example of the difference that timely intervention, effective training and the courage to act can make,” she said. “His quick thinking and determination to provide CPR until the emergency services arrived helped give Martin the chance to survive and recover.

“We are incredibly proud of Guy and the way he put his Basic Life Support training into practice in such critical circumstances.

“His actions are a powerful reminder of why this training, which is mandatory for all our colleagues, is so important and how the skills our staff develop can make a life-saving difference.”