June 6, 2017 10.08 am This story is over 81 months old

‘I owe my life to my son’, says dad who suffered heart attack at his home

A Lincolnshire dad has said he owes his life to his son when he received life-saving CPR after suffering a major cardiac arrest at his home. Tony Chapman, 65, suffered the cardiac arrest in September last year with his son Alvin, 43, saving his life by using first aid knowledge that he had learnt at…
Alvin and Tony Chapman

A Lincolnshire dad has said he owes his life to his son when he received life-saving CPR after suffering a major cardiac arrest at his home.

Tony Chapman, 65, suffered the cardiac arrest in September last year with his son Alvin, 43, saving his life by using first aid knowledge that he had learnt at work.

Tony previously had no heart-related problems but began to feel weak when playing pool with his son at the local snooker club in Barton-Upon-Humber.

“I remember feeling really weak and sweating a lot.” Tony said. “I don’t recall much of what happened when we got [back home]. The last thing I remember is sitting on the sofa.”

Alvin received workplace first aid training from St John Ambulance three years ago and recognised his father’s signs as a cardiac arrest before lowering him to the floor and beginning CPR after calling for an ambulance.

“The paramedics were quick on the scene, and arrived after five to 10 minutes, although at the time it seemed like forever,” said Alvin.

Tony was rushed to Hull Royal Hospital and suffered another cardiac arrest and a defibrillator was used again.

He went on to spend many days in intensive care and left hospital a week later.

“I owe my life to my son,” said Tony as him and Alvin prepare for their first Father’s Day since the event.

“If it wasn’t for his first aid knowledge and quick-thinking I wouldn’t be here now.

“I urge everybody, to learn basic life-saving skills as you really don’t know when you might need them.

“As I have never had any health issues, it was a complete shock to me to be in that situation.”