A SOUTH Brent man has enjoyed an emotional reunion with the people who saved his life when he suffered a sudden heart attack last year.

Robin Taylor was at the South Devon Tennis Centre in Ivybridge in November when he unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest.

Luckily for Robin, two men at the scene, Andy Kellett and Adam West, knew the lifesaving CPR technique, and immediately got to work.

The ambulance service then dispatched Ed Durante and Alan Lake, Ivybridge firefighters who also attend medical emergencies as co-responders. They arrived quickly and were able to successfully use a defibrillator, at which point Robin began breathing again.

An ambulance crew arrived shortly afterwards and continued treating him, before he was taken to Derriford hospital.

Robin recovered very quickly, and was discharged from hospital three weeks later. He says he is extremely grateful to all those involved in helping to save his life.

He said: ‘I am extremely lucky to be here and owe my life to the bystanders who were able to give me CPR straight away, to the responders for administering the defibrillator, which got me breathing again, and attending ambulance crew for the fantastic treatment they gave me.

‘They carry out a fantastic job in serving the local community and I am very grateful for everything they have done for me. As this incident shows having responders based in towns like Ivybridge is very important.

‘They can and do save lives.’

South Western Ambulance Service’s lead responder officer Rich Buckley was also delighted at such a positive outcome. He said: ‘All of our responders do an amazing job and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank them for their invaluable support.

‘Their presence really does make such a positive difference, as this incident clearly demonstrates. I am delighted that Mr Taylor has recovered so quickly and wish him all the best for the future.’

Ivybridge firefighter Ed Durante, one of the responders first on the scene, has recently started working as an emergency care assistant for the ambulance service based at Derriford ambulance station in Plymouth.

Fire co-responders are just one of the groups of volunteers operating across the South Western Ambulance Service area. They are retained firefighters but respond to emergency medical incidents while an ambulance is on its way.

They operate predominantly in rural areas and receive training and equipment from the service.

Community first responders also play a vital role in rural areas. CFRs are members of the public who volunteer in their own time, and respond to certain emergency calls.

St John Ambulance and the RNLI also operate similar schemes in partnership with the ambulance service. Anyone interested in joining a community responder scheme or finding out more should contact 01392 261500 or visit www.swast.nhs.uk.