Heart attack survivor from Tunbridge Wells says removing a bra could save a life
Julie suffered from a heart attack while home alone in January, and needed emergency support.
On the morning of January 2nd 2026, Julie De Mink dialled 111 experiencing chest pain, which quickly escalated to a 999 emergency call.
She says she had been felling off for a few weeks, but had previously mistaken her tiredness as part of her recovery from an operation and shingles.
Speaking about the incident she added "it was a really normal day. There wasn't anything to suggest that what happened was going to happen".
Luckily, she felt something was off, and decided to call 11, where her call was quickly progressed to 999 as it became obvious that she was having a heart attack:
"It was a really strange. From what I recall, I just woke up, and, it's very hard to describe how it feels. It was very intense and very very unpleasant.
"I must have gone into some automated thing of 'what to do with about it'. I dialed 111 and tried to get some help. "
Once the ambulance arrived, an ECG confirmed Julie was having a substantial heart attack.
As they prepared to transfer her to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, she suffered cardiac arrest on the ambulance stretcher.
South East Coast Ambulance staff Michael and Ollie alerted phone operator James, who prepared to coordinate an additional support while Ollie and Michael delivered a life-saving defibrillator shock, restoring her heartbeat.
She was rushed to the hospital’s specialist cardiac unit, where two stents were inserted to unblock her artery.
Bra off, Defib on
Since the incident, Julie has become a vocal supporter of the 'Bra off, Defib on' campaign. Talking to us directly she said: "I didn't realise why, but during the resuscitation process, they cut your clothes off.
"So it was only afterwards when I was recovering, looking into what happened to me...I found a lot of information about 'bra off defib on'.
"lucky they were paramedics, and it was the middle of the night, there wasn't anybody around.
"But, you know, had that happened in my high street on a busy Saturday afternoon...
"People are reluctant to take a lady's clothes off, to be able to put the defibrillator pads in the right place. A lot of people that I've spoken to since go 'no, that's terrible. No, that can't be right.'
"But it is. You would be apprehensive, wouldn't you? If somebody's passed out in the middle of the high street, to start removing items of clothing.
"But then if they don't put the defibrillator pads on in the right place, it's not as effective, so ladies have a lower survival rate
"Don't be afraid to do that. Because that could save that person's life, and make a huge difference to their survival."
Response
12 weeks after the incident, Julie visited Paddock Wood Make Ready Centre to thank Ollie, Michael, and James in person and hear more about the response that saved her life.
Julie said “They were incredibly kind, calm and their quick actions mean that I am here to be able to meet them in person.”
Michael added “It’s always a privilege to be able to help someone in such a critical situation. Seeing Julie well and back with us is the best reward we could hope for.”
Ollie said: “It was so valuable to learn more about the patient experience and journey. Julie’s visit was very special.”
James said: “Coordinating the response was a team effort from start to finish. Julie’s recovery highlights how vital every second and every decision can be in emergencies and how much of an impact we have in the control room.”