A cyclist has thanked two Met Police officers who helped save his life after he suffered cardiac arrest during a 100-kilometre bike ride.
Peter Krivdina was cycling through Richmond Park when he collapsed and stopped breathing on Sunday, May 7.
The 51-year-old, from Hammersmith, was 75 kilometres into a 100-kilometre ride which involved cycling eight laps of the park.
Panicked onlookers rushed to the scene including an off-duty NHS doctor and anaesthetist.
PC James Levesley and Paul Barber were on patrol nearby when they heard a call come in. Within four minutes they arrived at the scene and provided first aid until paramedics from the London Ambulance Service turned up.
A pulse was detected, and Peter was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting where he remained for two-and-a-half weeks before being discharged. He has made a full recovery.
Peter said: “I am very grateful to the many people who helped me when I collapsed. They saved my life and I cannot be more thankful. I also received excellent care from the emergency services and the staff at St George’s Hospital.
“It had been a long day of cycling and I remember feeling unwell when I reached the top of a hill. I remember collapsing, but I have no memory after that until I woke up in hospital.
“This experience had made me realise that CPR is a crucial skill and I believe everyone should learn it, so they know what to do if they find themselves in a similar situation.”
PC James Levesley, who is based at Richmond Park, said:“I was delighted to hear that Peter had made a full recovery and it was an honour to be reunited with him and his wife.
“For every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without CPR or a shock from a defibrillator, their chance of survival drops by 10 per cent, and I would like to praise the passers-by who provided first aid until the emergency services arrived.”
Around 14,000 patients are treated for a cardiac arrest in London every year. Early CPR and defibrillation can more than double someone’s chances of survival.
PC Paul Barber, who also works at Richmond Park, added: “As police officers, we are given first aid training as we are often the first people to arrive at the scene of a major incident where a person is in need of urgent medical assistance, however CPR is a vital skill, and I would encourage everyone to learn how to perform it.”
