London Lifesaver saves stranger's life just months after completing CPR and defibrillator training Adam Day, whose life was saved as a child, has helped to save a stranger’s life with skills he learned during a London Lifesavers training session just a few months before. Paramedics from London Ambulance Service trained Adam in how to perform chest compressions, also known as CPR, and how to correctly use a defibrillator. This meant that when Adam noticed a man at his gym had collapsed in cardiac arrest, he was well equipped with the life-saving skills to give effective chest compressions, which kept his heart beating until an ambulance arrived. Adam said: “Getting the chance to learn how to do this with paramedics and being shown exactly where to put your hands and how much pressure to use meant that I didn’t really have to think.“The training came back to me and I was focused on doing all I could to help this person. Getting that training from paramedics really made me respect the work they do – even more than I already did.”Adam was only 13 years old when he had his life saved by paramedics. He survived a stab wound to the chest in a traumatic family loss. Adam explained: “I do have this background of trauma and it has been difficult to deal with, but it has left me with a profound respect for emergency responders.“It has also given me a drive to help people. And that includes encouraging people to become London Lifesavers.” London Ambulance Service launched the London Lifesavers Campaign in order to boost the survival rates of cardiac arrest in the capital. The London Heart Starters Campaign works to place much-needed defibrillators in communities that need them most across the capital, to further boost London's cardiac arrest survival rates. The London Lifesavers campaign aims to create a generation of lifesavers by providing life-saving CPR and defibrillator training for business, communities and schools alike. This is supported by funds raised by the London Ambulance Charity. Adam, who is now 27, was offered the opportunity to undertake the London Lifesavers training at the bank where works as an analyst. He explained that: "Knowing what to do in a life-threatening situation feels really daunting but the training gives you the confidence and the muscle memory to know what to do. “There was a defibrillator in the gym that the gym staff used and those machines are excellent. They talk to you so you know what to do at each step. “In the moment, you just go through the steps. But reflecting on what we did is emotional, knowing that we helped save a life is a profound feeling.” London Ambulance Service responds to approximately 12,000 patients in cardiac arrest a year. Less than 1 in 10 survive. Early chest compressions and a shock from a defibrillator can more than double a person's chances of cardiac arrest survival. Samantha Palfreyman-Jones, Head of First Responders at London Ambulance Service, said: “You never know when you might need these skills and for Adam that moment came just a few months after his training. “Would you know what to do if someone collapsed in cardiac arrest in front of you? What if it was someone you knew or someone you loved? These skills can be learned in a few minutes but they could change someone’s life forever.” London Ambulance Service runs regular free pop up training events across the capital. The next one is on 1 August at London Zoo, followed by one taking place on 6 August at Battersea Park as part of #LAS60_Celebrations. All upcoming London Lifesaver training events are listed here. The London Lifesavers Campaign is funded through a grant provided by NHS Charities Together to the London Ambulance Charity. You can support the Charity's ongoing work by signing up to one of our exciting fundraising events, from the Dragon Boat Race to the London Life Hike, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Become a London Lifesaver today. You never know when these skills could help to save a life. This vital training is only made possible thanks to charitable funding – so thank you for all of your support and generous donations. Manage Cookie Preferences