Man who suffered cardiac arrest makes CPR plea

A Leicester man whose heart stopped while he was playing football has called for more teenagers to be given CPR training in schools.

Sanjay Shah, from Hamilton, collapsed while playing football in August last year.

The 52-year-old was given first aid by teammate Silpesh Mistry in the minutes before paramedics arrived at the pitch in New Parks, Leicester.

He said 26-year-old Mr Mistry's actions saved his life.

Mr Shah said the physiotherapist was the only person on the pitch who knew how to perform the life-saving technique and has said all teenagers should learn it at school.

"I've spoken to everybody who was there on that day," Mr Shah said.

"Everybody panicked, and they panicked because they didn't know CPR, except Silpesh."

He added: "CPR training needs to start at a young age and if it were once or twice a year it would make all the difference.

"Without a doubt the best way we can teach people CPR is in the schools, at 13,14,15 years of age.

"It's a skill they will have lifelong. It has to be taught in the curriculum like any other topic."

Mr Shah was reunited with Mr Mistry and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) staff Caitlin Sparling and Niall Jerrison, who came to his aid, on Wednesday.

Mr Jerrison said: "It's more common that people don't survive these attacks. Survival rates from this are less than 10%."

A Department for Education spokesman said: "There are existing requirements for schools to teach first aid as part of the curriculum, with secondary school pupils being taught life-saving methods which can include CPR and the purpose of defibrillators."

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