2 weeks Ago
A man who suffered a cardiac arrest after a five kilometre parkrun said his life was saved using a defibrillator. David Knowles, 57, had just completed the Bognor parkrun in Hotham Park on Saturday, November 2, when he started to feel unwell. David, from Chichester, sat down on a bench and felt dizzy, which he says was the last thing he remembers before hearing the voice of a paramedic when he regained consciousness.
The University of Portsmouth lecturer had experienced a cardiac arrest and was assisted by an off duty paramedic and lifeguards, emergency services and parkrun volunteers. He said: “Well unfortunately I know the least about what happened as I was unconscious for most of it. I do know I’m a very lucky guy.
“I discovered later that an off duty paramedic called Alice who often runs at the Hotham Park Bognor parkrun used a defibrillator and CPR to resuscitate me. “I also understand that off duty lifeguards from Butlins also helped in the procedure. David is a regular parkrunner in Bognor and Chichester (Image: David Knowles) “I must’ve been a traumatic sight sprawled out on the grass in Bognor so I’m hoping to return soon to thank everyone for their kindness.
“I am looking forward to thanking everyone who helped me in person but I have a few days in hospital to look forward to first.” David said he was told that upon regaining consciousness, the first thing he said was “did I scan my barcode”. Simon Hazelden, director of the Bognor parkrun on the day, said: “Fortunately for David, the right people with the right medical training were there to immediately assist and save his life.
READ MORE: Faces of parkrun as residents mark 20th anniversary “The entire core event team at Bognor Regis parkrun are immensely proud of how quickly everyone sprang into action yesterday. “Their quick thinking certainly contributed to the outcome being a positive one. “So many clubbed together to support as the parkrun community always will.
“It is a requirement for every Parkrun to have a working AED. “Thankfully it is extremely rare to need them, and we’ve never used ours at Bognor until yesterday, but it is extremely fortunate for David this requirement is in place and really highlights the importance of these devices.” The location of defibrillators near you can be found on defibfinder.
uk, however always call 999 in an emergency..
