A life saved, saves lives - Young Reporters. By Ella Kennedy, Ursuline High School Wimbledon

A Kempo class took a turn when teacher Sensei Paul White suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick thinking of Paul Hughes and others present, his life was saved.

During the incident, Simon Mann, an attendee at the class, acted swiftly and immediately called an ambulance while Paul Hughes placed him in recovery position.

The situation escalated when Paul White stopped breathing and his heart completely stopped.

Sensei Paul Hughes initiated CPR without hesitation and continued for four to five minutes until the ambulance arrived. Simon kept his phone on loudspeaker, allowing the emergency services to guide the instructor through the correct compression rhythm — 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths.

When the paramedics arrived, they were impressed with the prompt and accurate response, especially as most people don’t know what to do in a situation like this. They allowed Paul Hughes to continue while they quickly set up the defibrillator.

The ambulance crew administered eight shocks before his heart restarted — an astonishing 20 minutes later. It was nothing short of a miracle.

Paul White was a taxi driver so knew ‘The Knowledge’, London’s taxi navigation exam. After he recovered in hospital he was still able to do it.

Reflecting on the experience, Paul Hughes said: “If he had gone into cardiac arrest driving his taxi or walking his dog, he probably wouldn’t have made it.”

Paul Hughes started his own mission to get as many people as possible through first aid training.

Simon’s daughter Marina Mann attends Hughes’ dojo and attended a first aid course with Wimbledon First Aid Training.

She said: “We were all taught how to administer CPR, including rescue breaths and compressions as well as how to use a defibrillator. It covered a broad range of topics.”

Marina added: “While I hope I will never have to use the skills Jan Craven taught us, I’m very glad that I have them, just in case.”

Paul White launched a defibrillator campaign following his recovery. He and his wife, Paula, 68, joined their neighbours to raise over £1,000 by participating in the London Ambulance Charity’s first-ever fundraising walk, the London Life Hike.

The funds raised contribute to installing life-saving defibrillators in deprived areas of London where they are most needed.

So far, the walk has raised an impressive £33,000 and counting for the London Heart Starters campaign. It aims to improve survival rates for cardiac arrest victims by placing defibrillators in critical locations across the city.

This incredible story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of first aid training and the impact of having life-saving equipment readily available.

Immediate action can make the difference between life and death, and thanks to the bravery and quick response of those involved, a life was saved that day.

This article was written by one of our Young Reporters, a scheme that gives 14 to 18-year-old school students a chance to write for a real newspaper. Find out more at the Young Reporter website.