A DAD-OF-TWO who suffered a cardiac arrest told how having his own life saved inspired him to volunteer for the ambulance service.

Chris Ennis, 66, of Downham, was playing golf at Clitheroe Golf Club in 2016 when he suffered a cardiac arrest.

After being ‘dead’ for around half an hour, Mr Ennis started breathing again thanks to the efforts of bystanders at the golf club and ambulance service Community First Responder (CFR) Simon Doyle who managed to revive him.

He was taken to hospital where he was given a life-saving heart operation and just six months later he was back playing golf.

After having his own life saved by a volunteer, Mr Ennis wanted to give something back by becoming a CFR for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

A community first responder needs no medical knowledge and is trained by the ambulance service to respond to 999 emergencies in their area, giving patients the best possible chance of getting the care they need.

He began training to become a CFR less than a year after surviving the cardiac arrest.

Mr Ennis, who lives with his wife Linda, said: “I knew nothing about what happened and I just woke up in hospital three days later. I am extremely thankful to the CFR who helped save my life, he has inspired me to become a volunteer and now supports me as my team leader now that I respond to emergencies myself."

He added: “It’s really important that people know the simple skills they need to help save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest. No medical experience is needed to volunteer and the training took just two weekends. I can log on when it suits me and I have been able to use my own experience to empathise with other people and help them in their own traumatic incidents.”

Mr Ennis’s story appeared on ITV show, This Time Next Year. Hosted by Davina McCall, it features ordinary people pledging to transform their lives in extraordinary ways over 12 months.

Jane Atkinson, community resuscitation officer for NWAS, said: “Chris is an absolute inspiration and we are so proud of what he has achieved in such a short period of time. Chris is now a hugely valued member of the CFR team who not only helps us save lives but also to just be there for our patients and be a reassuring face."

This Time Next Year is available on the ITV Hub.