A fitness fan was in the right place at the right time to have a heart attack.
Thankfully, four nurses and another health professional were in the same health centre when he collapsed.
As the Sunday morning class at Bannatyne’s Health Club on Fife Leisure Park was halted, the nurses rushed to his aid and save his life.
As soon as the man collapsed, the nurses sprang in to action, keeping him alive using CPR and a defibrillator until an ambulance arrived. The patient was then taken to the nurses’ own hospital, Queen Margaret.
A defibrillator donated to the club seven years ago by a heart charity was used during the emergency.
Staff nurse Heather Bryson was working out with ward colleagues Katharine Sharpe and Ciara Grealis when the man, who is said to be recovering, collapsed.
Also in the gym at the time was a fourth nurse from the Queen Margaret and another health professional.
Heather, who has been to visit the man in hospital, said: ”We were all in the gym when we saw the commotion and a lot of people around the man.
”It just so happened that he collapsed and there were five of us at the gym at the time. We all took turns doing CPR. There were loads of people there.”
She added: ”We used the defibrillator. The sweat was stopping the pads from sticking. He got shocked twice and it probably helped.
”It was the shock that the paramedic gave him that worked and got him breathing again.
”You replay it over in your head. We’ve talked about it all the time to make sure we did everything we could. It was just a big relief when he made it.”
Katharine said: ”It was good that there were a few of us because one person couldn’t have kept it up alone until the ambulance arrived.”
Scott Niven, the club’s general manager, said Bannatyne’s team of trained first aiders came to the member’s aid quickly and were helped by a group of members, including healthcare professionals, who were very supportive in the time before the ambulance arrived.
He said: ”I want to thank these members for their efforts. This was a perfect example of the community atmosphere at the health club.”
He added: ”We wish the gentleman well with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club.”