Jeremy Hall, from north west London, collapsed at home last summer at the age of 59.
He was saved by the quick actions of his family and paramedics and is now supporting a campaign by the London Ambulance Service.
Mr Hall said: “CPR saved my life.
“If my son hadn’t started chest compressions straight away, I wouldn’t be here, heading into another new year.
“Learning CPR could save someone you love.
“I hope people make 2026 the year they learn these simple skills.
“It can be the difference between life and death.”
Aminah Turay, an ambulance service call handler, guided Mr Hall’s son through chest compressions over the phone.
Paramedic Steve Hickman arrived within minutes of the 999 call and delivered the first defibrillator shock.
It took two more shocks to restore Mr Hall’s heart rhythm.
Mr Hall has since reunited with the team who saved him.
He told them: “Thank you.
“You have given me a second chance at life and I am so grateful.
“I am so lucky.”
Eleni explained the teamwork involved at the scene.
Eleni said: “We train for serious emergencies like this and so when it happens, everyone has a role.
“There will be one or two people doing CPR, one has the defibrillator, one person manages the airway and one person is responsible for administering the drugs, such as adrenaline.”
He said: “We call it the pitstop model, everyone knows what to do and what their part is and it’s pretty amazing especially when the outcome is a good one, which is sadly quite rare.”
Fewer than one in ten people survive a cardiac arrest.
The London Ambulance Service is encouraging everyone to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator as part of its London Lifesavers campaign.
Call handler Aminah Turay said: “You guide a family through the worst moment of their lives, but meeting the person afterwards, and seeing how loved they are, really brings home why this job matters.”
