A dad who had a cardiac arrest while out with his nine-year-old daughter has been reunited with the paramedics who saved his life.
Fire station officer Scott Saunders collapsed during a run with his daughter Poppy in Eastbourne five years ago and has been on a challenging road to recovery since.
The 54-year-old finally got an opportunity to meet the "superhuman" team of paramedics and thank them for saving his life.
"I and my family are so grateful," he said.
"Things could have been so different."
The 54-year-old received CPR from a bystander under the instruction of emergency medical advisor team leader Eleanor Smith over the phone while paramedics Jodie Stewart, Ian le Page, Mark Northcott, Kiya Claydon and Martin Hall made their way to the scene.
He was resuscitated and taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital where surgeons fitted a stent for a blocked artery. Scott also had a small defibrillator implanted near his heart.
“I am a first-hand, real-life example of the importance of CPR and would encourage everyone to learn how to save a life."
However, Scott required open heart surgery to fit a mechanical valve before starting his road to recovery.
Scott then suffered another set back in 2021 after his defibrillator delivered a shock when his heart went into Ventricular Tachycardia, where a section of the heart beats too fast.
With an adjustment of his medication, Scott’s recovery continued and, while he no longer works on the frontline, he was able to resume his fire service career.
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He met and thanked Eleanor along with paramedics Jodie and Mark at South East Coast Ambulance Service’s Polegate Make Ready Centre.
He said: “Seeing some of those who responded to me was a fantastic opportunity. Eleanor’s advice over the phone undoubtedly made a huge difference as did the actions of the team as they quickly arrived and continued my resuscitation.
“It’s been a really tough few years but it was amazing to have had the chance to say thank you in person."
Paramedic Jodie added: "“It was lovely for us all to have the chance to meet and chat with Scott.
"As with any incident, and especially a resuscitation, it takes a real team effort right from the first moment. On behalf of the whole team, I wish Scott and his family all the very best for the future.”
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