A health and safety manager has revealed how first aid training he completed for work helped save his own life when he suffered a devastating "widow maker" heart attack at home.
Army veteran David Murray, 55, who lives in Doncaster, recognised the symptoms of a major heart attack and immediately put his training into action, instructing his wife to call 999 and fetch aspirin from his first aid kit while he waited for paramedics to arrive.
Now the father-of-one is sharing his story to encourage more people to learn life-saving skills and is backing the release of St John Ambulance’s new-look first aid training programmes.
David, Senior Safe and Well Trainer for construction giant BAM UK & Ireland, first trained with St John Ambulance, England’s leading first aid charity, in 2012. On 14 March this year, he woke in severe pain and immediately knew something was seriously wrong.
He said: "I had an anterior STEMI heart attack, often known as a 'widow maker', which many people do not survive. I was short of breath, clammy, grey in colour and my chest was in agony. The symptoms were unmistakable.
"Because of my first aid training, I recognised what was happening straight away and told my wife to call 999. I also told her to get aspirin from the first aid kit in my car because I knew chewing an aspirin can help during a heart attack. I genuinely believe that knowledge contributed to saving my life.
"By the time the paramedics arrived, the pain had started to ease, and I felt my chances of survival were improving. It was terrifying for my wife and daughter. I feel incredibly fortunate to still be here."
