St John Ambulance Cymru’s Chief Volunteer was recently awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Royal Humane Society for saving his colleague’s life last year.

Richard J Paskell, a Detective with South Wales Police, was at work when his colleague went into cardiac arrest after returning from a run. Richard was summoned to the scene immediately, calling for the nearest defibrillator to be brought along by a bystander and commenced CPR right away. 

Thanks to the prompt action by Richard and other bystanders, their colleague began breathing again and his life was saved.

South Wales Police nominated Richard for the Royal Humane Society’s Commendation, which was recently presented to him at South Wales Police Headquarters, by Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan.

Richard has been St John Ambulance Cymru’s Chief Volunteer since 2017 and has committed countless hours to supporting the charity; protecting the public at events, representing other volunteers across Wales and spreading awareness of lifesaving first aid.

He had undergone various first aid training days with his work and regularly practices first aid techniques as an operational member of St John Ambulance Cymru, so he had the skills and knowledge required to act quickly in an emergency.

“This incident really highlights the importance of first aid in the Chain of Survival, proving the quicker you act, the more chance you have to save someone's life,” Richard explained.

 

“‘Early recognition and calling for help’ - I quickly identified that something was wrong and arranged for 999 to be called.

 

“‘Early Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation’ - I immediately started good quality CPR, thanks to the training provided by St John Ambulance Cymru and South Wales Police. 

 

“‘Early Defibrillation’ - Our building is lucky to not only to have a defibrillator inside, but also outside as part of the Public Access Defibrillator Scheme (PADS).

 

“‘Post Resuscitation Care’ - Both the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and the Welsh Air Ambulance attended, and our patient was evacuated to the nearest hospital where he remained for a period of time, receiving excellent care.”

 

“All of this resulted in a quick recovery for our patient, who is already back in work.”

 St John Ambulance Cymru’s mission is to save lives and enhance the health and wellbeing in the communities of Wales, something very close to Richard’s heart.

The incident is a perfect example of why first aid training is so important and St John Ambulance Cymru would like to extend their congratulations to Richard for receiving this well-deserved award.

You too can learn to save lives by becoming a volunteer with the first aid charity for Wales. Find out more at www.sjacymru.org.uk.

St John Ambulance Cymru Chief Volunteer Richard Paskell with South Wales Police Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan

Prif Wirfoddolwr St John Ambulance Cymru yn derbyn cydnabyddiaeth gan y Gymdeithas Ddyngarol Frenhinol ar ôl iddo achub bywyd ei gydweithiwr

Yn ddiweddar, dyfarnwyd Tystysgrif Cymeradwyaeth i Brif Wirfoddolwr St John Ambulance Cymru gan y Gymdeithas Ddyngarol Frenhinol, am achub bywyd ei gydweithiwr y llynedd.

Roedd Richard J Paskell, sy'n gweithio fel Ditectif i Heddlu De Cymru, yn y gwaith pan ddioddefodd ei gydweithiwr ataliad y galon ar ôl dychwelyd o rediad. Gwysiwyd Richard i'r fan ar unwaith. Galwodd am wyliwr i ddod â'r diffibriliwr agosaf gyda nhw. Cysylltodd y diffibriliwr ar unwaith, gan ddechrau CPR.

Diolch i ymateb prydlon Richard a'r rhai eraill a oedd yno, dechreuodd eu cydweithiwr anadlu eto ac achubwyd ei fywyd.

Enwebodd Heddlu De Cymru Richard ar gyfer Cymeradwyaeth y Gymdeithas Ddyngarol Frenhinol, a gyflwynwyd iddo’n ddiweddar ym Mhencadlys Heddlu De Cymru, gan y Prif Gwnstabl Jeremy Vaughan.

Mae Richard wedi bod yn Brif Wirfoddolwr St John Ambulance Cymru ers 2017, ac wedi ymrwymo oriau di-ri i gefnogi’r elusen; diogelu’r cyhoedd mewn digwyddiadau, cynrychioli gwirfoddolwyr eraill ledled Cymru a lledaenu ymwybyddiaeth o gymorth cyntaf sy'n gallu achub bywydau.

Roedd wedi cwblhau diwrnodau hyfforddiant cymorth cyntaf amrywiol gyda’i waith ac yn ymarfer technegau cymorth cyntaf yn rheolaidd fel aelod gweithredol o St John Ambulance Cymru, felly roedd ganddo’r sgiliau a’r wybodaeth angenrheidiol i weithredu’n gyflym mewn argyfwng.

“Mae’r digwyddiad hwn wir yn tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd cymorth cyntaf yn y Gadwyn Goroesi, gan brofi po gyflymaf y byddwch yn gweithredu, y mwyaf o siawns sydd gennych i achub bywyd rhywun,” esboniodd Richard.

 

“Adnabyddiaeth gynnar a galw am help’ – fe wnes i sylwi’n gyflym fod rhywbeth o’i le a gofyn i rywun ffonio 999.

 

“‘Dadebru Cardio-Pwlmonaidd Cynnar’ – dechreuais CPR o ansawdd da ar unwaith, diolch i’r hyfforddiant a ddarparwyd gan St John Ambulance Cymru a Heddlu De Cymru.

 

“‘Diffibrilio Cynnar’ – Mae ein hadeilad yn ffodus nid yn unig i gael diffibriliwr y tu mewn, ond hefyd y tu allan fel rhan o’r Cynllun Diffibriliwr Mynediad Cyhoeddus (PADS).

 

“’Gofal ar ôl dadebru - Ymatebodd Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru ac Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru, a chafodd ein claf ei symud i’r ysbyty agosaf lle dderbyniodd gofal rhagorol am gyfnod o amser.”

 

“Gwnaeth hyn i gyd golygu adferiad cyflym i’r claf, sydd eisoes yn ôl yn y gwaith.”

Cenhadaeth St John Ambulance Cymru yw achub bywydau a gwella iechyd a lles cymunedau Cymru, rhywbeth sy’n agos iawn at galon Richard.

Mae’r digwyddiad yn enghraifft berffaith o pam mae hyfforddiant cymorth cyntaf mor bwysig a hoffai St John Ambulance Cymru estyn eu llongyfarchiadau i Richard am dderbyn y wobr haeddiannol hon.

I ddysgu sut i achub bywydau drwy ddod yn wirfoddolwr gydag elusen cymorth cyntaf Cymru, ewch i www.sjacymru.org.uk.