Dylan’s CPR training “kicked in” as he saved stranger’s life on holiday

Dylan has always loved swimming, so volunteering at the swimming pool for his Bronze DofE was a no-brainer. But he had no idea that the skills he learned would one day help save a stranger’s life.

After signing up for his Bronze DofE, Dylan threw himself into it. He was already doing a bit of volunteering, but joined regular sessions at his local swimming pool in Nottingham.

He became a popular member of the team and was offered a job by the leisure centre manager once he turned 16. Alongside studying for his A-levels and working, Dylan went on to gain his lifeguard qualification.

Using CPR skills ‘felt surreal’

His lifeguard qualification would serve him well just a few months later. Dylan and his family were walking along the beach while on holiday in Spain when they saw a man being dragged out of the water unconscious.

Dylan says: “My training just kicked in.”

He performed CPR until the emergency services arrived as there was nobody else on the beach to help. While waiting for an ambulance, Dylan’s chest compressions helped the man survive.

After the incident, the reality of what happened really sank in.

He admits: “You never think you’ll actually use those skills.”

He says performing CPR on a real person compared to a training dummy was very different, but with monthly training recaps the compressions were muscle memory.

Walking past the very same beach in Estepona the day after brought up some feelings.

Dylan says: “It felt surreal knowing I’d done that. I’m proud of how I stayed calm in the situation.”

News travels fast and greeting Dylan when he arrived home was a Rushcliffe Recognition Award for ‘service to the community’ and several of his teachers congratulating him.

Learn CPR this Heart Month

In February, British Heart Foundation marks Heart Month to raise awareness of health conditions related to cardiovascular disease.

BHF has an online course where you can learn CPR in 15 minutes for free.

Every year over 40,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. Less than 1 in 10 survive. Giving CPR quickly and using a defibrillator can more than double someone’s chance of survival.

If Dylan’s story has inspired you, why not learn CPR as part of your DofE? You can learn first aid as part of your Skills section, or volunteer as a first aider for your Volunteering section.