Mark Faulkner, Consultant Paramedic at London Ambulance Service, told Express.co.uk: “When a patient is in cardiac arrest, every second counts. The chance of them surviving is entirely dependent on the rapid actions of others. This includes commencing chest compressions and applying a defibrillator promptly.
“Chances of survival decrease for every second that a patient is left without chest compressions.
“Louise’s story is exceptional, and only serves to highlight the importance of both rapid and effective chest compressions.”
“When a patient does survive, it is often because their heart has been restarted within a few minutes from going into cardiac arrest. In Louise’s case, the resuscitation provided by the crew was so effective that, despite her being in cardiac arrest for 28 minutes she was brought back to life and has made an exceptional recovery.”
Ms Higgs’s mother Joan said she was “beyond grateful” that the “amazing” paramedics saved her daughter.
She added: “I lost my son 13 years ago and one thing’s certain, if Louise hadn’t survived, I would have died too.”
