The quick thinking and skill of two honeymooners and RNLI lifeguards were the difference between life and death for a jogger who went into cardiac arrest on a Cornish beach

Mawgan Porth Beach was pretty quiet on the overcast evening of 21 May. As 6pm approached, it was time for Lifeguards Jackson Howell, Tim Robey and Dave Kelly to pack up and get ready for their weekly swim training at the local pool.

As the tide crept in, a man in his 40s jogged along the waterline. A couple on their honeymoon strolled nearby – and saw him suddenly keel over. Rachel Bennett, a retired police officer, recognised the signs of cardiac arrest and began CPR. Her new wife Nick ran to fetch the lifeguards. For Jackson, Tim and Dave, swim training was off.

And so began the Chain of Survival – a series of events that, when they happen quickly enough, improve a person’s chances of surviving cardiac arrest and making a good recovery (see panel, below right).

Care on the beach
‘He was at the water’s edge with an incoming tide, so we picked him up and brought him up the beach,’ Dave recalls. ‘I left the guys to start CPR and went to call Falmouth Coastguard.’

Jackson snatched the casualty care grab bag. He took over chest compressions and prepared the defibrillator. Tim took on the breathing element of CPR. Then Jackson gave the man, Sean, his first shock, while the tide came in fast. The lifeguards had to move Sean up the beach again before giving a second shock.

The lifeguards had been working on him for around 10 minutes when their supervisor, Anton Page, arrived by truck. Tim and Dave jumped on the back with Sean and continued working on him as Anton drove to the car park. ‘The coastguards and paramedics were there, ready to take over,’ recalls Tim. ‘We did one last shock and handed him over into their care.’

With their advanced medical training and range of drugs and equipment, the paramedics and coastguards worked steadily on Sean for 20 minutes while waiting for the Royal Navy helicopter. By then, he was breathing unaided.

The last link
First-rate care at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro forms the last link in this Chain of Survival. At the time of writing, Sean was making a steady, if slow, recovery – thanks to every link in the chain, and the speed, training and professionalism of everyone involved.

In a letter to the lifeguards, Sean’s wife Kate writes: ‘You have given us the opportunity to have our daddy, husband, brother and son back. Without the lifeguards and coastguards, we could be waiting for a body to wash up somewhere and never know what happened.

‘Your actions that day have a far reaching impact, which should not be underestimated. You have given a 3-year-old her daddy back. He will see her start school next year, can teach her to drive, and hold his future grandchildren. My family and I are incredibly grateful and will never forget that the RNLI gave us all that opportunity.’

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WHAT IS THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL?

‘It’s when someone recognises the problem and starts the response,’ says Peter Dawes, the RNLI’s Lifesaving Services Manager. ‘Early CPR buys time for the emergency services.

Early defibrillation is essential as the chance of survival reduces with every passing minute, and early advanced care pre-hospital and in hospital is essential.’

Recognise problem and start response
A couple nearby saw – and understood – what was happening. Nick went to get help, Rachel started CPR.

Early CPR
The lifeguards were able to take over CPR within 2 minutes, using their extra equipment for safe breathing.

Early defibrillation
Jackson gave Sean his first shock within 5 minutes, greatly increasing his chances of survival.

Early advanced care
Paramedics and coastguards arrived within 15 minutes. They used special CPR machines and administered drugs.

Early in-hospital care
The Royal Navy helicopter was the best option to get Sean to hospital as fast as possible.