First aiders Andrew Pye, left, and Emma Brooks, gave Steve Walther, right, lifesaving first aid

‘There aren’t really any words to describe that somebody literally gave their breath to make you live, somebody cared enough and was trained enough to save my life’ - Steve Walther

Steve Walther was a fit 52-year-old fitness instructor and former professional ballet dancer, out to enjoy an al fresco lunch at the local pub with his friend Emma. One minute he was taking a selfie with beloved dogs Max and Mavis, the next he was in cardiac arrest fighting for his life.

This is how the story unfolded, in the words of Steve and those who gave first aid to save him. 

Steve trained with the Royal Ballet before dancing all over the world with Northern Ballet

Emma Brooks

I’ve found it really hard to talk about for a long time. Steve turned round, paused for a moment, said something and slumped forward. 

'Literally it was like a switch flicking, he powered down and turned off. It was terrifying'

I tried to rouse him, stood up and called for help, I asked one of the waiters to phone an ambulance.

The last time I’d done first aid was on the St John first aid course I did with my bronze Duke of Edinburgh award, aged 16. But I did remember.

People helped get Steve on the ground so we could start CPR. A waiter was on the phone to 999 and someone fetched the defibrillator. I gave Steve mouth to mouth, as others were uncomfortable with that because of Covid.

L to R - Steve training with St John, in ICU, a selfie with dogs Max and Mavis moments before he collapsed

Andrew Pye, Manager at the Fleece

'When Steve and I meet now, we don’t handshake any more, we hug'

Our senior managers are very keen on health and safety, so I’d refreshed my first aid in April. But it’s different in real life to training – my brain was having to get into gear very quickly.

I helped get Steve on the floor and started chest compressions while a colleague ran for the defibrillator. We followed the instructions given by the defib and it took four shocks to bring him back. It was about 20 minutes before the emergency response arrived. After the massive adrenalin surge, I was in shock. Senior management took the decision to close the pub for the rest of the day because it was upsetting for everyone.

It’s empowering to know first aid. In this line of work, I never know what’s going to happen day by day. To have the confidence to be able to deliver lifesaving first aid is reassuring.

Steve Walther, cardiac arrest survivor

Thank you isn’t enough. Some of them were strangers, some of the people I knew, but I’m indebted to them forever.

I felt totally fine and was in good spirits. I took a selfie with the dogs. I just sat up and collapsed. The next thing I remember is waking up in hospital.

I had spent 10 days in Intensive Care sedated and on a ventilator. My 23-year-old daughter, Leah, was told to expect the worst and at the minimum I would probably have brain damage.

I did start to recover, however. I’m very bodily aware but during my rehab, I had to retrain just to put one foot in front of the other. But three months after my cardiac arrest, I was back teaching exercise classes at a moderate level, walking my dog Max daily and living close to a normal life.

There is no doubt whatsoever, that without the swift action of administering CPR and the use of a defibrillator, I would be dead.

There aren’t really any words to describe that somebody literally gave their breath to make you live, somebody cared enough and was trained enough to save my life.

L to R - Steve’s daughter Leah, pictured, was told by doctors her Dad may suffer brain damage. Best of friends, Max and Mavis. Emma and Steve revisiting the Fleece, Addingham, where Steve ‘died and came back to life’