A VOLUNTEER medic has been praised for saving a man’s life after he had a heart attack.

Ali Smith was at a friend’s house drinking tea when she got a message that a 65-year-old man was in cardiac arrest in nearby Stadhampton.

She found Dave Fordham unconscious and not breathing, with his wife, Veronica, carrying out cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR.

Mrs Smith, a nurse practioner at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, transplant centre, used the defibrillator all first responders carry to keep Mr Fordham alive until ambulance paramedics arrived.

She said it was the first time she had used the machine, which delivers a powerful electric shock to restart the patient’s heart.

She said she froze for a fraction of a second, before her training took over.

Mrs Smith, who is 39 and lives in Chalgrove, added: “It was very scary when I pressed the button and saw his body jump. That was quite surreal.

“I received a call about an hour after he was taken to hospital telling me what treatment the gentleman had received, that he was alive and in intensive care, but doing okay.

“That was a huge relief to me. As a responder, I have attended quite a few cardiac arrests that unfortunately have not been successful, so to actually go out and make a difference to somebody’s life was quite humbling.”

Mr Fordham, who is now recovering at home, said he had no recollection of the day of the heart attack. He joked: “I am delighted the community responder scheme gave her the practice she needed and it was successful.”

Mr Fordham, who runs a nature reserve in Risinghurst, added: “I think the organisation is doing a great job but the rest of us need to help them out too.”

Mrs Smith praised Mrs Fordham’s quick-thinking, saying: “A lot of the credit must go to her.”

Emergency medical technician Matthew Farrington, who arrived on the scene shortly after Mrs Smith, praised her. He said: “Ali did well”

JOIN THE TEAM

THERE are more than 250 community first responders in 60 teams across Oxfordshire. Volunteers are trained in everything from resuscitation to dealing with epilepsy. Anyone aged over 18 who is physically fit, has a full driving licence and access to a car, and has some time to spare could join. The volunteer medics carry £1,600 worth of equipment — including a defibrillator and oxygen — and carry out immediate first aid while waiting for the ambulance. To find out more call 0800 587 0207.