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Cadet saves life in Mansfield

Using skills she had learned in the Army Cadet Force (ACF) the 17 year old was able to establish that the gentleman had suffered a cardiac arrest. Melanie quickly set about performing CPR and instructed a member of the public to call an ambulance.

Melanie was able to revive the gentleman briefly but before the paramedics arrived his condition deteriorated and his heart stopped for a second time. She persevered with a second round of CPR to manually pump blood around the patient’s body and get oxygen into his lungs until the ambulance arrived whereupon she was praised for her actions.

Once the professionals took over Melanie comforted his family and took their contact details so she was able to find out if he was okay once he was taken to hospital.

The gentleman is now recovering well at hospital and responding to treatment.

Reflecting on the events this weekend Melanie explained: “I am relieved to hear that the gentleman is recovering in hospital. I was just one of the people near by who helped but because of the training I received in the Cadets I knew instinctively what I had to do and that we needed to act quickly and calmly. Once I turn 18 I plan to return to the ACF as an Instructor so that I can pass on lifesaving skills to others.”

Having learned of Melanie’s actions Mansfield MP Ben Bradley added: “I’m sure everyone at Nottinghamshire ACF are all incredibly proud of her. She is a credit to Mansfield.”

Richard Etherington, spokesman for Nottinghamshire ACF stated: “Melanie is just one of the 800 young people in Nottinghamshire who are members of the ACF. Amongst other things Cadets gain recognised St John’s Ambulance qualifications to prepare them for situations just like this. The gentleman can count himself lucky that he took ill near an Army Cadet. We wish him well.”

The Army Cadet Force provides opportunities to young people aged 12 to 18 to learn skills within a military context.