LEISURE Centre workers are trained to save lives if swimmers get into difficulty.
But Ashlee Purnell faced a unique situation at Yate’s Active Lifestyle Centre pool, when she saved the same swimmer twice, after two heart attacks.
Peter Halliday is a regular at the pool in Yate Shopping Centre.
The 68-year-old proficient swimmer had been doing up to 60 lengths a day before both his first heart attack in the pool last November.
He needed 50 minutes of CPR and four shocks from a defibrillator to save his life, and Ashlee was on hand to administer CPR.
She was supported by lifeguards Jack Baker and Owen Thompson, who worked alongside her.
‘I don’t think I’d be here without Ashlee’
Peter recovered and was back in the pool in January when he had another heart attack, and Ashlee came to the rescue again.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I came around the second time to see Ashlee’s face above me.
“I am so grateful to her and all the staff at Yate Active. The support our family has received from them since has been amazing.
“I don’t think I would have got this level of support from any of the more expensive leisure clubs.
“The staff at Yate Active Lifestyle Centre are highly trained and the facilities are brilliant.
“We’re lucky to have this place on our doorstep – and I’m the most lucky, as I honestly don’t think I’d be here to say that without Ashlee and the team.”
Peter, from Yate, has since had a double heart bypass and has been fitted with an ICD heart device to kick-start his heart in case of another emergency.
‘It was like it was happening to a member of my family’
Ashlee said: “We undergo rigorous training that is repeated and refreshed every month, so we’re prepared for the eventuality and, to a degree, it’s like automatic pilot.
“It certainly helps knowing that there’s a strong team behind you.
“That said, the second time was different.
“I had an instinct that it would be Peter again and, because of the first time, I have got to know him and his wife.
“So, that second time, it was like it was happening to a member of my own family.”
Ashlee and Peter were visited in May by BBC Radio Bristol presenter Joe Sims, and shared their story on his show.
An Active Centres spokesperson said: “It is a powerful reminder of the importance of first aid training, teamwork, quick thinking, and staying calm under pressure.
“The actions of Ashlee, Jack and Owen made an immeasurable difference, and we could not be prouder of the compassion, courage and professionalism they showed throughout.”