A TEAM of medics from Sevenoaks have been praised for their role in saving the life of a man who suffered a heart attack while playing golf.

The 52-year-old collapsed on the fourth tee on the international course at the London Golf Club, Ash.

A community responder was on the scene in four minutes and able to aid him with a defibrillator until an ambulance crew turned up.

Nicky Broszek, a 41-year-old mum-of-two, arrived quickly as she lives nearby in London Road, Wrotham.

"From the time the phone call was put in to the shock that I administered, it was three minutes 59 seconds," she said.

"The reason he is alive is because of the quick response.

"The people at the golf club had been doing CPR, he had the shock from the defibrillator and he went to a good hospital so it all added together.

"You can't feel like a hero yourself, it's everybody doing their bit."

The club's general manager Austen Gravestock said: "The caddymaster started doing CPR and did his best but the community responder with the defibrillator was on site in about four minutes.

Fortunate

"It was her proximity and also we were very fortunate that we had a doctor who was playing golf at the time that they were able to bring the person back around.

"The hospital said there was only a three per cent chance of having such a success story."

The incident emerged as the Sevenoaks group of responders – members of the public who respond to medical emergencies – appeal for cash to fund new equipment.

Treat

They treat people suffering from medical emergencies while waiting for an ambulance.

Responders are keen to stress they are no replacement for ambulance paramedics.

They initially receive two days of training and carry kits containing life saving equipment, including defibrillators for heart attack victims.

Staff at The Kings Arms in Shoreham have also praised the team after hearing about them from a customer, and last year they raised nearly £500 for new equipment.

Community responder Stanley Willis, of Hale Lane, Otford, has been mobilised 377 times from April 2009 to March 2010.

He said he often attended incidents within his village, but he has also stopped when passing by road accidents, including a fatal road crash on Sevenoaks Road, Otford.

Each member of the six-strong team books on for at least 20 hours every month.

Two more members are set to join the Sevenoaks team, so the crew are getting ready for a fundraising drive for new kit.

To donate or fundraise for the Sevenoaks Community First Responder Scheme, call the responder office for South East Coast Ambulance Service on 01273 897836.