Community volunteers come together to save the life of a South Wales Police Officer

On Thursday 1st June, the first day of Volunteers’ Week 2023, St John Ambulance Cymru’s Chief Volunteer Detective Constable Richard Paskell, with the help of fellow volunteer James Jenkins, saved a life by delivering CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) at South Wales Police Premises in Pontprennau.

Richard was working at South Wales Police when Detective Constable Craig Jones collapsed after returning from a run. Craig was unconscious and was not breathing. Richard was summoned to the scene immediately. He called for the nearest defibrillator to be brought along by a bystander. He promptly attached the defibrillator, commencing CPR.

The defibrillator stated, ‘no shock advised’, so Richard continued with CPR whilst an ambulance was on its way.

It was then that James Jenkins arrived on the scene. James is also a St John Ambulance Cymru volunteer, but at the time was volunteering as a First Responder for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust. After a couple of rounds of CPR, Craig began breathing again. Richard and James worked together to care for Craig until the ambulance arrived, regularly monitoring his oxygen levels.

Paramedics and an air ambulance arrived at the police station and Craig was conveyed under sedation to the University Hospital of Wales.

“It just goes to show that the basic skills taught by St John Ambulance Cymru are vital.” James said. “If Richard had not done the CPR before we arrived, then it might well have been a different outcome.”

James has been a member of St John Ambulance Cymru for 33 years, starting off as a Cadet. He has volunteered as Community First Responders for both St John Ambulance Cymru and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust over the years. “I have attended numerous incidents in that time and have gained valuable skills and experience” he says.

He thanked Richard for his vital intervention before the others arrived, as it played such a key role in saving Craig’s life.

Richard said: “As the Chief Volunteer for St John Ambulance Cymru, I feel so proud to have been in the right place at the right time and played a part in saving Craig’s life.”

“We were so lucky to have a fellow volunteer who was able to join us at the scene. James lives locally and he arrived very quickly, whilst CPR was still ongoing.”

“CPR is amongst the simplest and most important of all first aid skills, but in a cardiac arrest the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can boost the casualties’ chance of survival much more than CPR alone.”

“I cannot underestimate the importance of learning how to do CPR and use a defibrillator.”

Craig is recovering in hospital and is so thankful to the volunteers who saved his life. He commented “As a serving Officer I have on a number of occasions in my career had to perform CPR on people before volunteers and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust have arrived to take over.”

“Never did I think that I would have CPR performed on me.”

“I have known Richard all my policing career and I’ve worked with him at various times within various roles with the police service. To say I am thankful he was present is an understatement.”

“I cannot say how important it is to get trained in CPR and the use of a defibrillator. I would also urge any businesses to train their staff and get a defibrillator on site, as there is no questioning that they save lives.”

Thanks to skills they learned at St John Ambulance Cymru, Richard and James were able to deliver lifesaving treatment. We wish Craig well in his recovery, and want to thank Richard and James for being such great examples of our brilliant volunteers making a difference in their communities. If you’d like to join our lifesaving volunteers and help to enhance the health and wellbeing of communities in Wales, please visit our website: www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/page/volunteer.