How CPR helped save Mike’s life

I’m so glad there were people there who knew what to do in a crisis

Mike Higginbottom, a lecturer and tour operator, owes his life to the staff at his local gym, who were quick to perform CPR when he collapsed.

Six months before his cardiac arrest, Mike had started to feel short of breath. He thought it was down to being a bit unfit but he actually had undiagnosed stenosis of one of his heart valves – it had become too stiff to let blood flow normally out of his heart.

He was mid-way through a workout at his local gym when he collapsed to the floor. Mike had suffered a cardiac arrest.

John Taylor, 29, who works at the Hillsborough gym, was one of the first on the scene. John carried out chest compressions while his colleague Peter carried out rescue breaths. Another member of staff called 999 and fetched a life-saving defibrillator to shock his heart.

By doing ‘hard and fast’ chest compressions, John increased the chances of Mike's survival before defibrillation and the ambulance arriving.

“It was the first time I’d done CPR, and it is a strange experience – you think, am I doing the right thing? But of course I was, and you have to get on with it and try. I was doing the chest compressions before the defib arrived and I know it made a big difference.”

Mike had a new valve fitted by surgeons to replace his faulty one, and has returned to the gym, where he sometimes runs into John.

Mike says: “I’m so glad there were people there who knew what to do in a crisis. I don’t remember much – I was out with the fairies but when I came round later, I realised how lucky I’d been.

“If it wasn’t for John and the team, I wouldn't be here today. I want to help spread the word about how important it is to do CPR, and also to get defibrillators installed in public places.”

After the incident John was inspired to train as a community First Responder, and has already helped save another life by carrying out CPR.