A cardiac arrest survivor from Alderney is encouraging everyone to take up the opportunity to learn CPR during ‘Restart A Heart Week’.
When Fran Trathen had a cardiac arrest and collapsed last year, vicar Samantha Martell immediately stepped in to provide lifesaving CPR.
By fortunate coincident, she had completed a Restart A Heart course just the week before.
“I’d learned CPR years ago, and I’d done a Restart a Heart refresher course only the week before,” she explained. “I grabbed my phone and dialled 999, and the call handler told me to start CPR.
“I just went into autopilot and kept going, telling Fran, ‘Don’t die on me’. It felt like forever, but then I heard the sirens, and suddenly there were people all around us.”
Ms Trathen who previously volunteered with the Alderney ambulance service said: “I’ve done CPR myself in the past, but everyone should learn CPR.
“It could be your son or daughter or your mum or dad or brother who collapses next to you. I don’t think anyone should be without those skills, even children.”
After Ms Trathen’s own cardiac arrest, Alderney’s volunteer Community First Responders and the island’s full-time ambulance crew arrived on the scene and took over her treatment before her heart started beating again.
It’s hoped more people will now take up the opportunity to learn CPR and with free lessons this week, for ‘Restart A Heart Week 2026’.
“CPR can double the chances of survival and the survival rates go up again if a defibrillator is available,” said Jim Cathcart, Team Leader for Alderney’s ambulance service.
“Fran’s story is one of several cases from Guernsey and Alderney in recent years where people are alive today thanks to a member of the public doing CPR and use of an AED.
“These are skills for life and I would encourage everyone in our community to learn these skills, because one day it could help save a life.”
Free training events are being held throughout this week in both Alderney and Guernsey.
On Wednesday 14 October, there will be drop-in sessions at Alderney’s ambulance station at Crabby at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00.
In Guernsey, free public sessions are taking place across the week at the St John training centre in the Rohais. Places can be booked online via Eventbrite.
There is also an event is for States employees and States Members on Tuesday 13 October.
In addition to the free public events, St John is also working with a number ofi community groups to provide free demonstrations during this week.
