‘Instinct and adrenaline kicked in’

Quick-thinking Blackpool postie John Edwards’ CPR training saved a customer’s life. It demonstrates the power of our partnership with British Heart Foundation.

In his 24 years as a postie, John Edwards had never been called on to put his CPR know-how into action. All that changed when a customer on his Blackpool round ran from her house in search of assistance for her boyfriend.

It had been more than eight years since John had completed his CPR course, but in responding to this cry for help, the knowledge came flooding back.

“I found the man lying on his bed,” recalls John. “He wasn’t breathing. I instinctively started CPR while we waited for the paramedics.

“I took part in the training for my kids – just in case I needed to know what to do. I used to think ‘I’m never going to need to use this, it won’t happen to me’. Then this happens.

“When I spoke to the paramedic afterwards, he said I’d be surprised by how many times he arrives at a scene to find people standing there frozen. They’ve not done the training, so they just don’t know what to do.

“For me, it was instinct and adrenaline that took over,” adds John. “I’d only ever practised on dummies, but it’s amazing how much you remember all these years later.”

The man was in a medically induced coma for five days and has no memory of the day. He and his girlfriend have been in touch to say thank you.

John’s dramatic first-hand experience of delivering CPR means he’s an enthusiastic supporter of our national charity partnership with British Heart Foundation. Royal Mail’s on a mission to raise £2 million by 2026. At the time Courier went to print, colleagues had already raised and donated more than £70,000 and more than 900 had completed CPR training.

“It’s great that Royal Mail is teaming up with British Heart Foundation,” says John. “And I would encourage everyone to learn CPR.

“At the end of the day, you could be saving someone’s life.”