Bucknell man saves sister's life (From Hereford Times)

Bucknell man Ian Owen saves sister's life

7:00am Thursday 29th September 2011 in Features

A BROTHER saved his sister’s life just one day after attending a specialist training session.

Ian Owen, from Bucknell, was taught by West Midlands Ambulance Service in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of a defibrillator.

And the 50-year-old put his new skills into practice when his sister collapsed during a phone call.

Mandy Owen, who also lives in Bucknell, said she was speaking to her cousin when she suddenly felt faint.

Her relative at the other end of the phone line called Ian while another cousin at home with Mandy at the time dialled 999 for an ambulance.

“The previous day there had been a defibrillator training session,” said Ian. “The defibrillator itself was due to go live the following Wednesday and I had been given it to look after until then.

“I gave CPR and administered two shocks using the defibrillator, then put her into the recovery position.

“It was all a blur. I put all my training into practice and went into automatic pilot. Within minutes the Community First Responder (CFR) arrived, followed by an ambulance and then the air ambulance.”

Mandy, 47, spent the next three weeks in hospital, including intensive care, and has since made a good recovery.

The training session that Ian attended formed part of an automated external defibrillator scheme run by Clun Valley AED.

Ian, who is now training to be a fully-fledged CFR, believes that his sister would not be here today had he not taken part in the programme and is now encouraging others to enrol on the course.