Jimmy Johnston

I lost a friend a week ago today. She collapsed and died while we were out running. She was a very special person who gave so much to our local community. She'll be greatly missed. People have been so kind. Thank you, especially to my daughter Daisy, pictured here, who got me out this morning so I wouldn't dwell on it. There was probably nothing anyone could have done to save my friend. But it's made me think about how the rest of us can be prepared. Here are a few suggestions. • Know the signs of a cardiac arrest. The person collapses suddenly, doesn't respond and isn't breathing normally. If you see that, call 999 straight away. Put the phone on speaker and start CPR. The call handler will talk you through it. • Better still, learn CPR before you need it. The British Heart Foundation's free RevivR course takes 15 minutes on your phone, with a cushion to practise on. If you employ people, get them first aid trained as well. ➡️ bhf.org.uk/revivr • Look up your nearest defibrillators on DefibFinder. If your workplace or club has one, check it's listed there too. If it isn't, 999 call handlers can't see it. In an emergency, the call handler can direct you to one and give you the code for a locked cabinet. You don't need training to use it. It tells you what to do and only gives a shock if needed. ➡️ defibfinder.uk • Runners, always take your phone and keep it switched on. A running belt stops it bouncing around. Set up emergency information on your lock screen, so a stranger can see who to call. And remember, you can call 999 from anyone's phone, even a locked one. Most smartphones have an Emergency option on the lock screen. Life is precious. Be mindful. Stay alert. Always be ready to help when someone needs you.