Welshpool pub manager thanks bystanders who saved his life
August 10, 2023in Community News
Welshpool pub manager, Brian Evans, has thanked fast-acting bystanders for saving his life when he suffered a cardiac arrest at work earlier this year.
Mr Evans’ partner, Leanne Stockdale, was in the bar when she heard a crash – Mr Evans, 57, had suddenly fallen off a stool.
“I thought he must have hit his head but he hadn’t, he was just grey on the ground. As soon as I reached him, I knew something wasn’t right,” Ms Stockdale said.
(L-R) Ambulance Victoria Gippsland Regional Director Ross Salathiel, cardiac arrest survivor Brian Evans, Leanne Stockdale, Brian and Leanne’s son Brock Evans, paramedics Tiana Daniels and Wyatt Kilgower.
Ms Stockdale and a couple of customers immediately rushed to Mr Evans’ aid, applying the pub’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and commencing CPR.
“As soon as we said ‘he’s got no pulse’, there were people lining up to do CPR to try to help,” she said. “I was terrified. You know your CPR and first aid, but when it’s a loved one, it goes from your head.”
The bystanders delivered three shocks with the defibrillator and managed to achieve the return of spontaneous circulation before paramedics arrived.
Mr Evans was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he spent five days before being able to return home.
“I want to say a big thank you to Leanne and everybody else that helped,” he said.
“They still don’t know what caused it but I’m feeling fine again – I’m back to normal. It’s a reminder that we should all learn CPR.”
(L-R) Ambulance Victoria Gippsland Regional Director Ross Salathiel, Leanne Stockdale, cardiac arrest survivor Brian Evans, Brian and Leanne’s son Brock Evans, paramedics Tiana Daniels and Wyatt Kilgower.
Paramedic Tiana Daniels said the actions of the bystanders were heroic.
“Minutes matter in cardiac arrests. When a patient receives CPR and a shock, or multiple shocks as in this case, from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival increases by more than 70 per cent.
“If Brian’s partner and other bystanders hadn’t acted so quickly, it could have been a very different outcome,” she said.
Ms Daniels is encouraging community members to sign up to the GoodSAM app to give locals the best chance of survival.
“GoodSAM is a life-saving smartphone app that connects Victorians in cardiac arrest with nearby volunteers who are willing to start CPR and use an AED while paramedics are on their way,” she said.
Ms Stockdale said it’s incredible to have Brian back home and well.
“It was the worst day of my life but now seeing him recover, it’s the best,” she said.
“Everybody that helped that day isn’t just a friend, they’re family now.”