Calm response saves dying man

Mangawhai businessman David Glover knew just what to do when a man collapsed clutching his chest and complaining of pain.

The former St John first-response officer calmly started cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before directing a bystander to a nearby shop to collect one of the Mangawhai community's defibrillator machines.

A 65-year-old local man had gone into cardiac arrest last Thursday afternoon after going into Mr Glover's shop asking for help. Mr Glover said within four minutes of the man collapsing he had been given a shock using the defibrillator. A second shock four minutes later had got the man breathing again.

"That second shock brought him back to life.The defib saved his life. I can't stress enough how important they are to have in smaller communities in Northland and for people not to be scared to use them," Mr Glover said. He has had four years' experience with St John and owns Bammas Surf and Leisure.

He said two other resuscitation attempts he had been involved with while with St John had not been so successful.

The Mangawhai ambulance team had arrived, along with other emergency personnel and stabilised the patient.

The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter was called, and it arrived with two intensive-care paramedics on board.

They further stabilised the man and after consultation with emergency teams at Whangarei Hospital he was flown to Auckland Hospital's cardiac care unit for treatment.

St John acting operations manager Wally Mitchell said it was a great community response that saved a life, and an example of the benefits of defibrillators being easily accessible within communities.

With the St John Annual Appeal starting next week, Northland people are being urged to show their support.