A MAN who was miraculously saved after he "died" six times at his friend's wedding reception is to raise awareness of the condition that almost took his life.
Adam Halls, from St Cleer, slipped into a coma after his heart stopped beating at the wedding reception of his friend Kylie Cox, nee Magee, in March.
Luckily three guests, who were trained nurses, carried out CPR on the 28-year-old at The Carlyon Bay Hotel, near St Austell for 30 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
Mr Halls told the Cornish Guardian he actually died about half a dozen times and was resuscitated.
Currently in the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske, Truro, he was due to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted yesterday.
His last memory is dancing to one of his favourite songs – Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO – and then waking up in hospital days later.
"It's quite horrific but I just feel awful for the trauma I have caused my family when they didn't know if I was going to make it," said the humble MENCAP support worker, who is also a part-time artist.
"I'm so lucky not to have any brain damage. It's a miracle."
He also said he felt guilty.
"It happened right at the beginning of the night so Kylie didn't really have a reception. She said the best thing was that I'm OK, which is amazing and it made me feel better knowing I didn't ruin her wedding completely."
The 24-year-old bride from Polgover Way, St Blazey, Par, who works as a nurse in Bodmin Hospital, followed in a car behind the ambulance on the day with her new husband. The newly-weds stayed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske until 4.30am in their wedding day clothes.
"I just wanted him to live, nothing else matters really," said Mrs Cox. "I've said to him it doesn't matter about any of it as long as he's alive. It's lovely, I'm so happy."
Brave Mr Halls said the experience had opened his eyes and he wanted to promote charity CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – which raises awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). He believes first aid should be on the national curriculum in schools. "It's rare anyone survives SADS," he added. "It was having those people around that could do CPR that saved me. Without them I wouldn't be here.
"My family have said they are going to do a course to learn. They are obviously really worried about me coming home in case it happens again."
The defibrillator works by monitoring the heart and delivering a jolt of electricity if it detects an irregular beat.
"It's an amazing piece of equipment; it's very empowering because I can go on living normally," he said.
"When I see the charity's website it brings tears to my eyes. The bereavement parents have to go through when young children die in their sleep. That could have been me."
He also thanked the Royal Cornwall Hospital. "Treliske has been absolutely fantastic. They have been so supportive to my family."
