Ruth's story
Christmas is always a special occasion in Ruth Baron’s family. It’s a time for traditions and family celebrations. But Christmas 2024 will be more special than usual.
Earlier this year, Ruth suffered an out of hospital cardiac arrest, when she was aged just 53. On that day, the chain of survival came together; thanks to the prompt actions of her daughter, Jennifer, her friend, Summer, who was visiting from Colorado, Ruth’s parents, her community and the emergency services, including East Anglian Air Ambulance, (EAAA) the family can enjoy this festive season together.
“I’m emotional just thinking about Christmas,” Ruth says. “There will be tears, but good tears because I am still here.”
“To the people who donate £5, £10 or whatever they can afford, thank you; you know it is going towards saving lives – and I am grateful you were there for me.”
Ruth’s story begins in February 2024
She suffered two heart attacks and had only just returned to her home in West Norfolk from a stay in hospital. While she was under strict instructions to rest in bed, her “friend for life”, Summer, had flown over from the USA to support Ruth and her daughter, Jennifer.
“We’d had some food and were just hanging out, chit-chatting,” Summer explains.
Ruth’s two dogs then had a scuffle and Ruth leapt up to separate them. Urging her to sit back down, Summer and Jennifer took one of the dogs downstairs.
“I called Grandma [Ruth’s Mum] to come and collect him,” Jennifer says. “I was still on the phone to her when I heard a ‘hacking’ sound from Mum.”
Rushing back upstairs, Jennifer and Summer initially thought Ruth was having a seizure.
But Ruth was in full cardiac arrest
In total, Jennifer and Summer were performing CPR for 18 minutes. “But it felt like forever,” Jennifer adds.
In the meantime, aware of what was happening, Ruth’s parents rushed over and arrived with an off-duty police officer and one of the village’s two community defibrillators.
“The defib initially said no shock needed, and to continue with CPR.” Jennifer continues, “The ambulance service arrived just a few minutes later. Then I heard the air ambulance above the house and saw them looking for a place to land. When the ambulance service paramedics arrived, they took over the CPR, and found Mumma needed a shock at that time.”
“Before my incident, I was a supporter of East Anglian Air Ambulance as I had previously joined the EAAA lottery. “Three years later, I needed them... The CPR performed by Jennifer and Summer kept me going until the arrival of the emergency services. EAAA arrived and stepped in. They knew what had to be done and they did it.”
— Former patient, Ruth
The EAAA helicopter landed
Dr Chris and Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) Jordan, climbed over fences and hedges to get the advanced skills, equipment and medication and to Ruth in the fastest time possible. Once at Ruth’s side, they carried out a full assessment and provided enhanced care at the scene, bringing forward key interventions. This included anaesthetising and putting Ruth in a medically induced coma so they could control her breathing and give her brain and body a rest. This treatment and care is over and above what the ambulance service provides.
Due to the location of the helicopter and a muddy route back to it, the decision was taken to transfer Ruth to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by land ambulance, with EAAA’s Dr Chris and CCP Jordan accompanying her on the journey.
“When I heard that a doctor and critical care paramedic from the air ambulance had been in the road ambulance with me, I knew I had received the best of the best care as I travelled to hospital,” Ruth says.
Summer adds, “The EAAA crew arrived and took over; they did everything right. The quality and speed of care was amazing, especially given the rural location. Everyone came together at the right time when the call went out. The care and compassion that was shown to us and Ruth was amazing.”
Ruth was unconscious in the Intensive Therapy Unit for over three weeks and spent two months in hospital in total for further treatment and care. This included having a cardiac stent and an internal defibrillator put in place. She then returned home to continue her recovery and received support from EAAA’s Aftercare team.
She says, “Before my incident, I was a supporter of East Anglian Air Ambulance as I had previously joined the EAAA lottery.
“Three years later, I needed them.”
Ruth is here today because of a successful chain of survival
Ruth says, “The CPR performed by Jennifer and Summer kept me going until the arrival of the emergency services. EAAA arrived and stepped in. They knew what had to be done and they did it.”
EAAA’s Dr Chris says: “The chain of survival, including early bystander CPR, is vital in the event of a cardiac arrest. Ruth survived because she received immediate bystander CPR, early defibrillation from the community public access defibrillator and an off-duty police officer, and early access to advanced care from EEAST, NARS and then EAAA. She survived because people stepped forward and knew what to do.”
Ruth adds, “I am now one of the 8% who survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest. My Dad cried when he heard that statistic.
“That’s why Christmas this year will be emotional for our family. It’s unbelievable to have come from where I was in February to be where I am now.”