Paul Swindell

After our first meet-up in February 2015, I realised I was not alone. It was the first time since my cardiac arrest the previous year that I had spoken face-to-face with someone who had experienced what I had. This was also true for my wife, who also happened to be my lifesaver. From that meet-up, the idea of SCA UK was born. Since then, we have achieved a considerable amount, primarily providing information, resources and support to others in a similar situation but also raising the profile of survivorship and the need for better post-discharge care. We are starting to get traction in this, and with the formation of the charity, I genuinely believe we have a bright future ahead and will make a significant difference in the lives of many who join our ranks.

Lightning strikes twice

To paraphrase the words of Her Majesty the Queen’s Christmas message, 2019 has been a bumpy road, if not Annus Horribilis.   I had my first cardiac arrest in February whilst on a “boys” walking break in the Lake District and was resuscitated and defibrillated by my son Mark. This was followed by triple bypass ...

A life of lifesaving with Professor Douglas Chamberlain (1931–2025)

Professor Douglas Chamberlain CBE passed away peacefully on 22 May 2025, aged 94. He was one of the giants of resuscitation medicine — the founder of Europe’s first paramedic unit, a co-founder of the European Resuscitation Council and Resuscitation Council UK, and a man described by the College of Paramedics as “the grandfather of paramedicine.” ...

Observations from an SCA survivor with Ted Gulloyen

In this episode, Paul talks with cardiac arrest survivor and social psychologist Ted Guloien. Since his arrest during a half-marathon Ted has made many insightful and wise posts relating to his and others recovery. He has recently collated them and published them as a pamphlet (as he calls it) titled “Observations of a Sudden Cardiac ...

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