Pilgrims officers save contractor's life

04 Nov 09

Pilgrims officers have demonstrated their ability to stay calm under pressure by saving the life of a contractor who had suffered a heart attack during the course of their shift.

By Brian Sims

Pilgrims officers have demonstrated their ability to stay calm under pressure by saving the life of a contractor who had suffered a heart attack during the course of their shift.

The officers concerned, who are based at the Dagenham site of pharmaceuticals company Sanofi-Aventis, reacted with virtually perfect textbook skills and drills when discovering that a contractor working on site had collapsed and stopped breathing.

Officers on duty responded without hesitation and, upon arrival at the scene, quickly determined that the victim had suffered a heart attack.

Medical and incident response training

Part of the Pilgrims training programme includes medical and incident response training, which the offciers had completed as part of their SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure).

This training was put to good use in responding to this incident quickly and effectively. Two of the security officers administered CPR while their supervisor controlled the scene. The remainder of the staff continued to ensure that site security was not compromised while the incident occurred.

The critical condition of the gentleman at the time later became more poignant as it emerged that his heart stopped seven times on the way to hospital. While the officers had only cared for the victim for a matter of minutes, they afforded the paramedics the vital time needed to keep him alive long enough for them to stabilise him and deliver him to intensive care.

Proper instruction is imperative

“This case shows that enlisting and training guards effectively with a range of skills is imperative,” said David Freear, director of operations for Pilgrims. “Security officers are there to protect, and incidents such as this show that investing in your staff means they are far more likely to give a first class response. Just one incident shows clients the tremendous benefits of investment in a good quality guarding company with thorough training procedures.”

Thanks to the officers’ quick thinking and actions the man has now made a full recovery. Pilgrims has awarded the officers certificates of special commendation.