George Mitchell

Bystander CPR Saves Kirkcaldy Man’s Life

The wife of a Kirkcaldy bowls club member has thanked a fellow bowler who saved her husband’s life.

Flo Stark, 74, performed CPR and administered a defibrillator to George Mitchell, 72, following a cardiac arrest at Kirkcaldy Bowling Club on Thursday 8th August this year.

Flo was at the club chatting to fellow members when she was alerted to George’s collapse whilst playing bowls. Flo and the other members sprang into action to come to his aid.

Flo started CPR compressions and was brought the defibrillator, which she administered to George.

Flo said: “I went out and did what I could to help George. Everyone did their part, one person called 999 and another brought me the defibrillator. I started to get tired, as I have arthritis, so Peter took over and continued chest compressions until the ambulance arrived.”

George is recovering well after a hospital stay, thanks to the quick actions of Flo and his fellow club members. George and his wife, Maureen, are so grateful to them.

Maureen said: “At first, we thought he just had indigestion, and someone had gone to fetch some Gaviscon. When he collapsed, I didn’t know what to do. I was in bits.

“Without Flo and Peter performing CPR on George, he wouldn’t be here today. We are overwhelmingly grateful to them for their heroic effort.”

“I would encourage everyone to learn CPR – you never know when you might need it.”

Kirkcaldy Bowling Club has since arranged CPR and defibrillator training for all newer members.

You can find out more about learning CPR by visiting: Learn CPR - Save a Life for Scotland

Contact Information

Scottish Ambulance Press Office

sas.press@nhs.scot

Notes to editors

Bystander CPR is an important link in the chain of survival for out of hospital cardiac arrests and for every minute that CPR isn’t administered after an out of hospital cardiac arrest the chance of survival is reduced by 10%.