Meet Redcar grandfather Norman Watson who had a cardiac arrest whilst swimming 10 years ago.
Norman was doing his usual daily 64 lengths at Redcar Leisure Centre on 28 June 2016 when he took ill in the pool.
Luckily, his regular swimming buddies recovered him from the pool, and the lifeguard team provided fantastic CPR and quick defibrillation. NEAS crews and GNAAS arrived shortly afterwards and continued Norman’s care and he was safely delivered to James Cook Hospital, where he received three stents.
He went on to have a good recovery and continues to regularly swim at Redcar Leisure Centre, as well as continuing to travel far and wide in his Blues Bus motor home.
To celebrate his 10-year survival anniversary, NEAS Chief Executive Kev Scollay and Andrea Raine, our head of operations for the south division, met with Norman, his granddaughter Evie and Everyone Active duty manager John Rennison back at the leisure centre.
Norman, now aged 74, said: “I am still extremely grateful to the quick response from the Everyone Active staff and the ongoing care from NEAS, GNAAS and James Cook Hospital. Without their interventions and care, I would not have met my lovely Evie, who was born the following year. We are truly the best of friends, she travels the country attending Blues festivals with me and takes after me as an avid swimmer.”
Kev added: "Norman's story is a powerful reminder of how important early intervention is when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. The quick actions of his fellow swimmers and the leisure centre staff, combined with the expert care provided by our crews, GNAAS and hospital colleagues, gave Norman the best possible chance of survival.
“It is wonderful to see him back doing what he loves, spending time with his family and creating memories with his granddaughter Evie. It was a pleasure to meet them."
