Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 09:50
Crossford heart attack victim saved after collapsing in Picture of Health Club gym
By Ewan Ferguson
Comments (0)
Print Article
A grateful Derek Napier (left) with Lisa Mackenzie and James White, the members of staff who saved his life.
Pic by: Dunfermline Press
A FITNESS instructor and an off-duty firefighter have been hailed lifesavers after their quick thinking saved the life of a West Fife heart attack victim.
Derek Napier (66), Lundin Road, Crossford, was on a treadmill in the Picture of Health Club gym at the Keavil House Hotel when he went into cardiac arrest on 15th April.
He was “clinically dead” but staff at the club swiftly put their first aid training into practice, saving Derek’s life.
And almost three months on Derek, who is about to start rehabilitation, told the Press of his gratitude for his good Samaritans.
James White (26), the club’s assistant manager, and Liza Mackenzie (28), a firefighter who works at the gym part-time, immediately began CPR and kept going until paramedics arrived.
“I’m in no doubt whatsoever that if it had not been for James and Liza then I would not be here today, I would be dead,” said Derek.
“I’m obviously incredibly grateful that the staff were so well trained and prepared.
“They immediately got into action and James did CPR while Liza did mouth-to-mouth.
“They got my heart, which had stopped, beating enough to keep the oxygen circulating until the paramedics arrived and got the jump leads on.
“They did a brilliant job and I’m eternally grateful because I would not be here if it wasn’t for them.”
Both Derek and his wife Helen (64) have been members of the Picture of Health Club for 15 years and before that Derek spent 30 years in the army.
“I was feeling perfectly alright, no symptoms of any sort whatsoever,” said the retired charity boss.
“I’m not overweight, I don’t smoke and I eat reasonably healthily.
“But there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind that when I collapsed I was actually clinically dead – my heart had stopped.”
Helen was in a class at the gym at the time and was called through by staff to see James and Liza fighting to save her husband’s life.
“It wasn’t good,” she said. “It was a real team effort by the staff and I’m really grateful to them. They were absolutely fantastic.”
For Liza, who works in Kirkcaldy, dealing with emergency situations every day as a firefighter meant she knew exactly what to do when Derek collapsed.
“We get 999 calls regularly but that was the first time I have had to do CPR,” she said.
“There’s a first time for everything though, as they say. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience but that’s what our training is all about.
“If something like that happens then the training kicks in and you go for it.”
And in James’ opinion, the whole affair has shown how valuable first aid training really is.
“When you go through and you see somebody lying in that position, your first aid training just clicks in,” he said.
“The first thing that goes through your mind is ‘What’s happened, what’s wrong?’
“You’ve got to assess the situation. It was a difficult situation. It just proves that first aid training is useful and everybody should have it.”
Derek is now due to start rehabilitation and is slowly building his strength up after being laid up afer his heart attack.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
New Dunfermline location for 'too sexy' shop