‘Without CPR I wouldn't be here’: Ely cardiac arrest survivor urges public to learn lifesaving skills

An Ely man who survived a cardiac arrest after his heart stopped beating for around 30 minutes is sharing his remarkable story to encourage more people to learn CPR as part of Restart a Heart Month.

Francis Woodroffe owes his survival to the immediate actions of his wife, Tanya, who recognised he was not breathing and started CPR within moments of his collapse, before off-duty paramedics responded to a GoodSAM alert and continued his care until ambulance crews arrived.

The couple hope their experience will inspire others to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR. Fewer than one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but early CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.

Immediate action saves a life

Francis had been out for Sunday lunch on 14 June with his wife Tanya before the couple enjoyed a walk around Ely. After returning home and settling down on the sofa to relax, Francis collapsed.

Drawing on first aid training she had received through her work at a school, Tanya immediately recognised that Francis was not breathing and started CPR without hesitation. She then called 999 at 3.35pm and continued chest compressions, despite the pain caused by arthritis in her hands, while remaining on the line to the ambulance service using her Bluetooth-connected hearing aids until emergency responders arrived.

Call handler Amber Burdett, based in EEAST's Norwich Emergency Operations Centre, counted the compressions and provided reassurance while Tanya continued CPR until help arrived.

Tanya's willingness to act immediately was a crucial first link in the chain of survival, maintaining blood flow to Francis's brain and vital organs while emergency help was on its way.

Off-duty paramedics answer the call

Off-duty paramedics Charlotte Harding and Edward Dodd had also been in Ely when a chance stop at an open-house pottery exhibition changed the course of the day.

Because they were nearby, Charlotte received a GoodSAM alert on her phone notifying her of a suspected cardiac arrest. Without hesitation, they accepted the alert and quickly made their way to Francis's home.

GoodSAM alerts are triggered when the ambulance service identifies a likely out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during a 999 call, notifying trained responders who may be able to reach the patient before ambulance crews arrive.

Charlotte entered the house and immediately recognised Francis was in cardiac arrest. After a rapid assessment, she took over CPR from Tanya while Edward supported the response and coordinated with ambulance colleagues in the control room.

The pair were also able to consult via video link with Advanced Paramedic in Critical Care Zoey Spurgeon, who was working on EEAST's pioneering Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest desk on the day.

Supporting a friend in crisis

For Duty Leading Operations Manager Adrian Sands, the incident carried an additional emotional weight.

Adrian had known Francis and Tanya for many years and was shocked when he realised the patient he was responding to was his friend.

He later described the moment as feeling like he had been "punched in the stomach" as he drove on blue lights from Cambridge Ambulance Station to Ely.

With the East Anglian Air Ambulance in attendance and focused on Francis's treatment, Adrian concentrated on supporting Tanya during one of the most difficult moments of her life.

He later drove her to Royal Papworth Hospital, helping explain the treatment Francis would receive and offering reassurance throughout the journey.

Adrian said Francis is alive today because Tanya started CPR immediately. He said the uninterrupted chain of chest compressions provided by Tanya, followed by the GoodSAM responders and ambulance crews, gave Francis the chance not only to survive, but to make the remarkable recovery he has achieved.

A remarkable recovery

Francis remembers very little of the cardiac arrest itself. His next recollection is waking up in hospital two days later and being told what had happened.

"It blew my mind," he said. "I simply couldn't believe it."

His journey was not without further challenges. He suffered a second cardiac arrest while in hospital and later had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted.

Despite this, his recovery has been remarkable. Just one month after his cardiac arrest, Francis was able to attend his daughter Niamh's graduation in Cardiff, with Tanya taking on the driving duties for the longest journey she had ever completed behind the wheel.

He has since returned to work on a phased basis as a Procurement Specialist at Global Inkjet Systems. He's currently working home but hopes to soon resume travelling to the company's Cambridge office a few days a week.

Another particularly meaningful milestone was returning to music, a lifelong passion that he feared he may never enjoy again.

Learn CPR. Save a life.

Looking back on his experience, Francis says he is constantly reminded how fortunate he was to have people around him who knew what to do.

Without Tanya's quick thinking, the response of GoodSAM volunteers Charlotte and Edward, and the care provided by ambulance and hospital teams, he would not be alive today.

Now, the couple are sharing their story to support EEAST's Restart a Heart campaign and encourage more people to learn CPR.

Francis said: "You never think a cardiac arrest is going to happen to you or someone you love. The fact that Tanya knew what to do and that two off-duty paramedics responded to an emergency alert made all the difference.

"A few minutes spent learning CPR could save someone's life. If sharing our story encourages even one more person to learn CPR, it will be worth it."

Tanya added: "I would urge everyone to learn CPR. You never know when you'll need it, and those skills can mean the difference between life and death.

"Since Francis's cardiac arrest, I have refreshed my first aid training and encouraged friends and family to do the same.

"I think everyone should learn CPR. It could be a stranger, a friend, a colleague or someone you love who needs your help, and when that moment comes, what you do in those first few minutes really matters."

Every year, thousands of people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Early recognition, immediate CPR, rapid defibrillation and advanced medical care form the chain of survival, giving patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery.

This Restart a Heart Month, EEAST is encouraging everyone to spend just a few minutes learning CPR. When a cardiac arrest happens, the person most likely to save a life is often the person standing closest.

Francis and Tanya recently met the EEAST crews and GoodSAM responders who helped save his life during an emotional reunion.

Paramedic Charlotte Harding said:

"Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the most time-critical emergencies we attend, and survival rates remain low.

"To see Francis able to attend his daughter's graduation, return to work and get back to doing the things he loves is incredibly special.

"Edward and I were simply in the right place at the right time, but the most important person in Francis's story is Tanya. She recognised what was happening and started CPR immediately.

"That is why learning CPR is so important. It gives people the confidence to act, and those actions can save a life.

"If people are able to sign up as GoodSAM responders too, it can help ensure more patients receive help before ambulance crews arrive and ultimately improve survival rates."

Sara Almedia, the Lead Resuscitation Officer at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added:

“We are pleased to see Francis has made such a good recovery and fully support his call for more people to learn CPR skills.

“When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, the actions of bystanders in the first few minutes can make all the difference. Early recognition, calling 999 and starting CPR are vital first links in the chain of survival until an ambulance arrives.

“As the UK’s leading heart and lung hospital, we care for many patients who have experienced a cardiac arrest. However even the most advanced care by our teams relies on that chain of survival starting in the community. By learning CPR, anyone can be ready to step forward in an emergency and give someone the best possible chance of survival.”