Mayor urges everyone to learn life-saving skills
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr Darren Byford, is raising awareness of the importance of learning life-saving skills such as performing CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
This follows an incident at least year’s Festival of Remembrance Service, where people trained in resuscitation techniques were able to save the life of a man who suffered a heart attack during the service.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Featherstone, Cllr Dwain Longley and Tracey Austin, Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Luke Harvey RAFAC and Air Cadets all rushed to the man’s aid when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest at Wakefield Cathedral.
The Mayor of Wakefield said: “First of all, I am pleased to say the gentleman has made a full recovery and that is in no doubt thanks to the quick actions of Dwain, Tracey and Luke.
“Knowing how to perform resuscitation techniques is an incredibly important skill and it really can save someone’s life while waiting for an ambulance.
“A huge thank you to everyone who helped that day. I am pleased that we have been able to award them for their bravery.”
Dwain and Tracey, both paramedics, ran to the man’s aid and performed resuscitation techniques until an ambulance arrived. Also assisting in this were Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Luke Harvey and the Air Cadets who formed a human barrier around the patient whilst undergoing his treatment.
The Mayor awarded Dwain, Tracey and Luke with the Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate at a Civic Reception earlier this week. The cadets also received a Mayor says Thanks certificate.
Dwain Longley, Area Operations Manager (Paramedic) at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Mayor of Featherstone, said: “I happened to be in the right place at the right time and was able to use my CPR skills to treat the patient suffering a serious medical emergency in Wakefield Cathedral. A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone of any age at any time, and action taken in the first few minutes of this occurring can make a huge difference to someone’s chances of survival. I’m delighted that the patient has made a full recovery.”
Learn how to perform CPR by visiting https://www.resus.org.uk/cpr
Other CPR training resources can also be found at https://restartaheart.yas.nhs.uk/get-involved/cpr-training-resources/
Find your local defibrillator at https://www.defibfinder.uk/