In this film, Keith and Katie reflect on what it was like when Keith came home from hospital. Keith felt very safe in hospital and worried about having another OHCA once home. He did suffer from fatigue and found himself getting tired more quickly than previously. However, his energy levels gradually returned to normal. Keith was not offered cardiac rehabilitation but his GP and the local nurses carried out regular check-ups on him. About a year after being closely monitored, Keith returned to hospital to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted. The ICD has not yet been activated and Keith is not concerned about having it. The couple do their best to carry on with life as if nothing had happened. Katie stresses the importance of supporting the relatives of those who have had an OHCA as it is a very stressful time for them. Keith was off work for 6 months before going back on a phased return basis, where he gradually built up to full-time hours again. He soon got fed up of not being able to drive and got his driving license back after only 4 weeks. Since Keith’s OHCA, both he and Katie have become community emergency first responders. At one of the training sessions for this, Keith met the two paramedics who had resuscitated him – it was the first time that either of them had met somebody they had saved.
This website provides support and information for those who have experienced an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), their families and those who have been bereaved by OHCA.
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