'Recognise signs of cardiac arrest' - CPR hero

Gym instructor David Mort administered CPR twice in the same week.

A man who administered CPR twice in the same week has encouraged others to recognise the signs of cardiac arrest and act on them if necessary.

Gym instructor David Mort, 32, from Scarborough, learned the life-saving CPR skills during his time in the scouts and later as a volunteer coastguard.

However, he put the technique into practice for the first time when he saw a woman slumped over her steering wheel in a supermarket car park, then five days later he was called on to help when a walking football player collapsed at the gym.

Urging others to learn the skill, Mr Mort said: "The sooner you can start CPR, the better their chances of survival."

Mr Mort said that in the first incident, he was out shopping with his family when he noticed a man trying to smash the woman's car window.

He helped gain entry to her vehicle and performed CPR while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

Despite a swift response, the woman could not be revived.

Just five days later, while on duty at the Barons Fitness Gym, he was then called to help when a walking football player collapsed.

The instructor recognised the man had agonal breathing, which is a sign of cardiac arrest, and he immediately began CPR while instructing someone to fetch a phone and a defibrillator.

After delivering a shock and three more rounds of CPR, the man regained consciousness and was awake and alert when paramedics arrived.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff are visiting schools across the country to teach CPR

Mr Mort explained there was "a complete mix of emotions" when administering CPR under such circumstances.

"The adrenaline of it all - it's traumatic," he said.

"The worst bit for me was when he came back eight weeks later and I didn't know how to respond because you've seen this person on the worst day of their life and then they're having a conversation with you.

"It was unbelievable. It will stick with me, I'm sure."

Mr Mort is now working with Yorkshire Ambulance Service to promote the important of learning CPR.

"I would encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with recognising the signs of a cardiac arrest," he said.

"The sooner you can start CPR, the better their chances of survival. The bystander CPR really helps the ambulance service when they get there."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff and volunteers are due to visit 180 secondary schools across Yorkshire on Thursday to provide CPR training to more than 40,000 students as part of the Restart a Heart Day initiative.

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