WV Active lifeguards praised after saving swimmer’s life

WV Active is celebrating the heroic actions of its lifeguards after they saved the life of a swimmer who suffered a cardiac arrest while in the pool.

Pete Ram, a well-known and popular member of the WV Active community, experienced a medical emergency in the pool at WV Active Bilston Bert-Williams shortly after 5pm on Monday 8 September. While swimming, the 65-year-old suffered a heart attack that led to cardiac arrest.

Pete Ram with lifeguard Jamie Hallam

The lifeguard team responded immediately with exceptional speed and professionalism, removing Pete from the water, administering CPR, and using the on-site defibrillator. Emergency services were called, and Pete was taken to New Cross Hospital.

The attending paramedics confirmed that Pete’s survival was down to the swift and effective actions of lifeguards Jamie Hallam, Lineu Palmeria, Mira Mistry, Courtney Jackson, Mahavir Johal and Sports and Activities Manager Charlotte Lavender.

Pete said: “After swimming consistently since Bert Williams opened, it was a big shock when I fell ill.

“I was lucky I was at the leisure centre when I had the cardiac arrest with a great, trained team around me. The doctors and nurses at New Cross, as well as the on-scene paramedics, said the staff at Bert Williams are highly trained and those who did CPR and helped during the incident did a fantastic job.

“I’m so thankful for the team for saving my life and I’m lucky to be here today.”

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “The lifeguards at WV Active demonstrated extraordinary professionalism in a moment of crisis – and through their quick reactions and teamwork, quite literally saved a life.

“We are incredibly proud of them and grateful for the vital role they and our other lifeguards play in keeping WV Active’s swimmers safe.”

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