Home / Health / CPR Saves Life: Alderney Survivor Urges Training
CPR Saves Life: Alderney Survivor Urges Training
14 Oct
Summary
- Fran Trathen survived a cardiac arrest thanks to a trained rescuer.
- Local vicar learned CPR and performed life-saving compressions.
- Free CPR training sessions are available in Guernsey and Alderney.
A survivor of cardiac arrest in Alderney is encouraging residents to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of the ongoing Restart a Heart week. Fran Trathen collapsed suddenly in 2025, but thankfully, local vicar Samantha Martell was present and administered CPR.
Martell had recently completed a refresher course in CPR, which proved crucial in the emergency. After calling for help, she followed instructions to perform chest compressions until paramedics arrived and successfully revived Trathen's heart. Trathen, who was airlifted to Southampton for further treatment, has shared her experience to highlight the importance of widespread CPR training.
She expressed a strong belief that everyone, including children, should possess these life-saving skills, emphasizing that "it could be anyone who collapses next to you." The initiative is part of a national effort led by the Resuscitation Council to improve survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Ambulance and Rescue team leader Jim Cathcart noted that Trathen's case is one of several recent instances in Guernsey and Alderney where public CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been vital. Free sessions to learn CPR are available in Guernsey and Alderney.
