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
Friend Emma Brooks, aged 40:
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, then aged 34:
'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.