A Kent
man will be reunited with the ambulance crews and others who helped
save his life at a CPR training day at the gym where he suffered a
cardiac arrest in June.

Steve Beal, 47, from Kings Hill, who collapsed and went into
cardiac arrest at David Lloyd Kings Hill, on 26 June, will meet
with ambulance crews and club staff as part of the day, which has
been organised and will be hosted by the club on Sunday 24
September.

The quick thinking and actions of Steve’s training partner, Matt
Carter, and club staff, saw Steve receive immediate life-saving CPR
and a shock with a defibrillator in the moments before SECAmb
clinician Phil Parrish arrived at the scene.

Phil was joined by colleagues and the air ambulance service as
the resuscitation continued and the team worked together to
stabilise Steve before he was taken to William Harvey Hospital
where he received emergency treatment to fit two stents.

“The first thing I remember is waking up the next morning in
hospital with friends telling me what had happened,” said Steve.
“At first I didn’t believe a word of it. It was just incredible
what everyone did. I’m so grateful. From the first moments and
treatment I received from the staff to the ambulance crews and my
treatment at hospital. Every breath I take now is a bonus.”

The training, which Steve was delighted to support, takes place
over four one hour sessions – 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm – and
is aimed at anyone aged over 16.

At a cost of £10 per person, all money raised will go towards
funding a new Public Access Defibrillator for Kings Hill area.

Phil Parrish said: “Everyone involved is looking forward to
meeting Steve again. The action of everyone at the scene prior to
our arrival was vital in giving him the best chance of survival and
shows how important it is that people take the opportunity to learn
CPR. We’re really pleased to be helping to deliver the training,
the importance of which is only magnified by Steve’s
involvement.”

To find out more about the training and book a place please
contact David Lloyd Kings Hill on 0345 129 6797 or visit the club
reception.

Steve is also adding his support to Restart a Heart, which takes
place next month. The Europe-wide initiative will see SECAmb staff,
volunteers and fellow clinicians teach life-saving CPR skills to
some 13,000 young people in the week leading up to Restart a Heart
day on 16 October.

Steve added: “Restart a Heart sounds like a great idea. So many
people have come up to me since and wished me well but a lot have
also said they’re not sure they’d know what to do. I’d encourage
everyone to look into getting trained in CPR. You never know when
you might need it.”