When 30 Year 6 pupils from Clapgate Primary School in Belle Isle, accompanied by four members of staff, headed to Eccup reservoir for a nature walk last June, no one was expecting a medical emergency or a visit from the Air Ambulance.
But towards the end of the walk Teaching Assistant Vicky Stevens started complaining of indigestion and soon collapsed. Her colleagues didn’t panic, whilst Adam Yeadon shepherded the children away and kept them calm, Nicola Holmes and Aston Queeley quickly established that Vicky was having a heart attack and started giving her CPR.
Contacting 999 they were disheartened to hear that there wasn’t a public defibrillator in the area, but redoubled their efforts. CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, involves giving regular chest compressions to keep the blood pumping around the body and taking oxygen to all parts including the brain.
Aston and Nicola were both trained in the technique, but it’s still hard physical work. Taking it in turns they kept going for 18 long minutes until help arrived.
Vicky was taken to Leeds General Infirmary. Doctors praised the teachers and said Vicky wouldn’t have made it to hospital without their efforts, but warned that whilst she was still alive, they wouldn’t know whether she had sustained any brain injury until she woke up.
In fact, Vicky woke up the next afternoon, confused about why she was in a hospital bed- she couldn’t remember anything of heart attack – but otherwise in good health.
Headteacher, Heather Taylor and Vicky felt Aston and Nicola deserved an award for their efforts and contacted the Royal Humane Society, who agreed and awarded Resuscitation Certificates for the pair’s “humanity, promptitude and skill … for assisting in restoring a woman to life.”
The Certificates were presented in front of the staff by school governors Emma Pogson-Golden and Charlie Preston.
Heather Taylor said the whole episode reflected the spirit of Clapgate and the school community. The whole staff team had pulled together and were there for each other.
Asked for her reaction, Vicky said:
“There aren’t any words really are there? I wouldn’t be here without them. 18 minutes they kept me alive, I’m just so grateful. I’m not surprised that they did what they did, they’re both active and know CPR, but to keep going that long is unbelievable.
“It’s a lot. I’m alive because of what they did and to recognise what was happening to me. It affected them too, it’s such a responsibility to take on, especially when its someone you know. They really deserve this award.”
Aston commented:
“The certificate is a bonus, it’s a nice surprise.”
Nicola added:
“It was extremely stressful at the time, so it’s nice to be acknowledged.”
Photo L-R: Governor Charlie Preston, Aston Queeley, Vicky Stevens, Nicola Holmes, Emma Pogson-Golden (Governor)
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