A MAN who was saved by an off-duty paramedic after collapsing while playing badminton is to meet the woman who saved his life.
David Glaze, 58, was playing badminton in January at Etwall Leisure Centre when he took ill.
East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Kerrie Webster "quickly became my guardian angel" according to Mr Glaze.
Ms Webster said: "I shouldn't have been at the leisure centre that night but the heavy snow meant my plans were cancelled, so I went with my boyfriend for a few games of badminton.
"Just after 9.30pm, David suddenly dropped to the floor face-first. I ran over to him and, with the help of his son and some other players, we got him on to his back.
"I immediately knew David was suffering a cardiac arrest and so while another player called 999, I started CPR.
"Within a few minutes centre manager Phil Templer arrived with a defibrillator which they keep at the centre.
"Phil followed my instructions and attached the defibrillator pads while I continued CPR. We shocked David's heart and after a minute or so David started to breathe and show signs of life."
The survival rate of someone in cardiac arrest decreases by 14% with every minute that passes so prompt action is vital.
Defibrillators in the local community and knowledge of what to do in an emergency, improve the chances of survival.
Mr Templer said: "We invested in a defibrillator in 2008 to ensure we had everything we would need in place. Five years down the line and that investment has more than paid for itself.
The three are set to meet up again at the Etwall Leisure Centre on Tuesday at 10.30am.
Mr Glaze said: "The fact that Kerrie was present when I suffered my cardiac arrest and knew what to do saved my life. Her actions were supported by the leisure centre having a defibrillator already on site."
