When Kent Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager Mark Jones collapsed suffering a cardiac arrest, he was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by people who knew how to give life saving CPR.   

Ever since his ordeal, he’s been passionate about the vital, yet simple, skill which saved his life, and so in support of this year's Restart a Heart Day (16 October), Mark is retelling his survival story and urging people to learn CPR themselves. 

While playing match at Canterbury rugby club, Mark suddenly felt unwell, and within moments he’d collapsed on the side of the pitch. He had suffered a cardiac arrest. Those around him rushed to perform CPR, and this combined with the use of a public access defibrillator (PAD), ultimately saved his life.

He said: “When I collapsed on the pitch, my friends and those around me began performing CPR.

“Luckily, there was also defibrillator in the nearby club house, where my son, Ben, was working at the time. When Ben was sent to bring the defibrillator down for me, he thought I was going to be using it on someone else – so it was a massive shock for him when he saw it was me who needed help.

“The next thing I remember is waking up in hospital four days later. After I collapsed I didn’t have a pulse for more than 15 minutes, but thanks to the action of those around me, I survived.”

As part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s ongoing mission to increase awareness of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) and CPR as an essential skill, Mark is encouraging Kent residents to go along to one of the many events held this week in support of Restart a Heart Day. Held at a number of fire stations across Kent and Medway, they’re completely free and teach those attending vital skills that one day may help them save a life.

Mark said: “What I hope people can learn from my story is that when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, your quick actions really could save their life. Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be holding a number of events this week in which our crews and volunteers will teach you these vital skills - so if you are able to, we really encourage you to attend.”

Watch the video above to hear Mark’s full story. Public access defibrillators are fitted outside every fire station in Kent and Medway, and can be used by anyone who needs to use it.  

KFRS advises people to follow the below steps in an emergency involving someone in a cardiac arrest:

1. Call 999
2. Start CPR
3. Ask someone to bring a defibrillator if there’s one nearby
4. Turn on the defibrillator and follow its instructions