Dead for 19 minutes: It took seven attempts to start dad Ken’s heart

A DAD who died for 19 minutes sprang back to life – after medics decided to give him “one last blast” with a defibrillator.

Normally, people who survive cardiac arrests need one or two “blasts” from an electro-pulsing heart starter to revive them.

But Ken Glass, just 36, appeared to be lost, after 19 minutes of CPR and six defibrillator shock attempts failed to restart his heart.

Paramedics, however, buoyed by his young age, thought “let’s give him one more try”, and were delighted when the attempt proved successful, pulling the young dentist back from the brink of oblivion.

“I’ve been given a second lease of life,” said Ken last night. “I’m not going to dwell on what might have been but what I have now.”

Ken, whose daughter and pals were in the back of the car, had been playing football with pals and was getting a lift home from his friend Dave Chapman, when he suffered a sudden arrest.

Dave, 40, is a swimming pool manager and a trained first aider and instructor.

He pulled Ken out of the car and phoned for an ambulance.

He started to do CPR but  terrifyingly, in the middle of the drama, Ken’s Volvo started to roll forward as the brake was not on. Luckily, a passer-by jumped in and managed to stop it.

“I was desperately struggling to get Ken back to life by pumping his chest and looked up to see the car roll forward,” Dave said.

“I had been joined by a friend, a GP. He gave Ken mouth-to-mouth, but we couldn’t get his heart going.”

Ambulance paramedics arrived after 19 minutes and shocked Ken with a defibrillator six times.

They put him into the ambulance and Dave watched it race to the hospital, thinking Ken had died.
“I thought all was lost and had to go and tell Ken’s wife Deirdre,” he said.

“When I reached Deirdre I could only explain that Ken was dangerously ill and we drove to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, 12 miles away.

“She had heard ambulance sirens but had no idea it was for Ken.

“When we got there doctors told us Ken had been resuscitated on the seventh attempt. They gave him one last shock because he was young and he sprang back to life.

Ken was transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and kept in an induced coma for four days.

He is now back at work in his dentist surgery in Forres after his ordeal in February.

Only one in 20 cardiac arrests outside hospital survive. Being out for 19 minutes is extremely rare.

“I know I am incredibly fortunate.” he said. “I owe my life to superhero Dave, the best friend anyone could ever have.

“From what I have since learned most people are pronounced dead after three or four defibrillator shocks.

“So to come back to life after seven is almost beyond belief.

“Without Dave I would not be alive today.”

He added: “When I learned that the car had rolled forward with the kids in the back, I could only image Dave trying to cope. It was the last thing Dave needed.”

Last night cardiologist Dr  Robin Northcote, said: “Ken was exceptionally lucky to have a CPR trained friend on hand. His good recovery is nothing short of incredible.”