A mother from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, who was about to leave for work, paused at her front door with a feeling that something was wrong. She decided to check on her teenage son, Hayden, and discovered him in his bedroom making abnormal sounds. Stacey called out to the 18-year-old but received no response, prompting her to investigate further. She found Hayden appearing to be asleep but making a sound she described as 'snoring,' though she instinctively knew it was not normal.
Emergency response
Stacey immediately called 999, and paramedics rushed to the house. They found that Hayden was in agonal breathing, a critical sign of cardiac arrest characterised by abnormal, gasping breaths caused by a severe lack of oxygen to the brain. Several ambulances were dispatched, and paramedics began chest compressions. They delivered five defibrillator shocks before the teenager's heart was successfully restarted. One paramedic also administered an anaesthetic bundle to support Hayden's recovery and help protect his brain.
Hospital treatment and discovery
Hayden was taken to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate on January 22 this year, where he spent three weeks recovering before being discharged. Extensive testing revealed that Hayden has a congenital heart condition, which has led to his family undergoing screening. Three months later, the teenager and his family visited Thanet Make Ready Centre to meet the team involved in his care.
Hayden, now recovering well, has returned to everyday life and remains a keen gym-goer. 'It's strange not remembering anything, but I know how serious it was and how lucky I am,' he said. 'Meeting the people who saved my life was amazing, and I can't thank them enough.'
Paramedic Lauren added: 'Jobs like this stay with you, and you always wonder what the outcome was, so to meet Hayden and see him doing so well was really special. It's a reminder of how important early intervention and teamwork are in situations like this.'
CPR training and awareness
Stacey and Hayden's sister, Sydney, have since completed CPR training to ensure they are prepared to respond in an emergency. Every week in the UK, about 12 people under the age of 35 die following sudden cardiac arrest. This case highlights the critical importance of recognising the signs of cardiac arrest and acting quickly.
