LIFESAVING ACTIONS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT ACROSS PARKWOOD LEISURE’S PORTFOLIO OF LEISURE FACILITIES

Following a series of incidents where staff members used their training and equipment to save customers’ lives, the leisure operator is raising awareness of the importance of regular lifesaving training

17th July, 2023 – Parkwood Leisure, one of the UK’s leading leisure operators, alongside partners Legacy Leisure, Lex Leisure and 1Life, is highlighting the importance of regular lifesaving training and equipment upkeep, following a number of incidents where staff have performed lifesaving CPR. 

All lifeguards undertake two hours of mandatory training every month as part of the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), which covers all elements of pool rescue techniques, lifeguarding theory, first aid and CPR.

In one incident, Lily Welch, Duty Manager, and Adam McIntosh, Recreation Assistant at Erith Leisure Centre, who both receive monthly lifesaving training, were ready to take action when a member of the public fell ill in the neighbouring park. With the assistance of an off-duty nurse, Lily and Adam performed CPR while waiting for the emergency response team to attend.

Lee Clark, Area Manager for Erith Leisure Centre praised Lily and Adam for taking action:

“On behalf of everyone at Erith Leisure Centre, I’d like to praise our fantastic members of staff for performing life-saving CPR during the incident. We’re really proud of Lily and Adam, who were able to stay calm and put their training into action. You’re both true heroes and an asset to our company.”

At Hutton Moor Leisure Centre in Weston-super-Mare, the team performed emergency CPR on a member who collapsed whilst playing walking football. Using the onsite defibrillator, the team was able to revive the man before paramedics arrived. The customer is now making a recovery.

In another incident, trained staff at Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden helped save the life of one of their members, Paul, after he suffered a cardiac arrest while swimming. 

The staff used the knowledge gained from their regular lifesaving training to act quickly and efficiently, lifting the customer from the pool and drying him before using the on-site defibrillator to resuscitate him.

At West Park Leisure Centre in Nottingham, Lee Wallis, lifeguard and fitness instructor, helped save a customer’s life. Lee performed life-saving CPR on a customer who suddenly became ill while playing badminton at the centre, and used the on-site defibrillator while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Furthermore a member at Victoria Park Leisure Centre in Ilkeston, Dave, suffered a heart attack in the changing rooms shortly after his regular morning swim. Drawing on the regular training they receive, staff members Andrew, Ashleigh and Jordan administered lifesaving CPR and used the on-site defibrillator to help save the customer’s life until paramedics arrived.

Alex Godfrey, Operations Director at Parkwood Leisure, commented on the recent incidents:

“At Parkwood Leisure, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of members across our portfolio of leisure facilities is our number one priority. Staff receive regular lifesaving training every month. While we hope they never have to use the training, these incidents prove how vital this regular training and equipment can be.”

“On behalf of everyone at Parkwood Leisure, I’d like to commend all our staff members for their quick reactions and using the training and equipment provided to help save the lives of some of our valued community members. It has been great to go round the sites and meet many of the staff involved in these incidents, share my experiences and give them the recognition that they deserve. The fact that many are also receiving external recognition is fantastic”.

–ENDS–