Salvation Army manager thanked after helping to save man’s life

A man who has worked within the NHS and ambulance service for 20 years has thanked Darren Green, community manager at The Salvation Army in Woking, after he carried out CPR to help save a man’s life. 

Peter Glover now works as an NHS manager but spent years in community resuscitation and praised Darren Green who, with other people, rushed to the aid of the man just days into his new role. Peter attends the church on Sundays.

Peter revealed: “The day before after Sunday morning worship, church members stayed to have lunch and learn basic first aid and CPR. Videos were made and shared on social media which Darren watched again only hours before on that night.

“His and the actions of everybody that helped have had a positive ripple effect in the wider community. They have demonstrated how simple skills can save lives.”

Darren was at the church and charity on Sythwood earlier this year when he went to help Charlie Sciortino who had suffered a heart attack at the allotments next to the building. He has received first aid and CPR training in the past and said the refresher he received the day before was very welcome.

Darren said: “We heard a cry for help from Charlie’s friend Giovanni and Naomi who works from our building ran to the allotments to see what she could do. We have a defibrillator here so I ran over with that but what we didn’t know was that the kit offline waiting new pads. There was some frustration but I knew there was a job to do so I started CPR.

“Fortunately I had previously done some first aid training and we had also run a first aid training course for members of the church the day before this happened which included CPR and shared a video.”

When he arrived at the scene, Darren found that a member of the public, Carol was administering CPR. He took over shortly after arriving.

He explained: “The call handler helped set the pace for the CPR and the paramedics arrived shortly afterwards. The air ambulance landed on the field behind our building and I found out later that Charlie had got his heartbeat back so he had been moved to a local hospital – it goes to show how important a quick response and hands-only CPR being administered are prior to a defibrillator being used.”

Charlie’s son, Vince, who rushed from work in London to see his dad said: “I saw dad in hospital and spoke to Giovanni who told me what happened. I can’t thank Darren and Carol enough and they gave dad a second chance. Doctors told me they thought dad’s heart stopped for seven to 10 minutes so without them, things could have been very different.”

Darren said he believes the incident demonstrates what a life-saving difference first aid skills can make and said he hopes The Salvation Army will be able to put on other first aid and CPR courses in the future.

He said: “I was honoured to be able to try and help save Charlie. If more people know what to do in times of crisis, more lives can be saved."