Stephen Keith, a former hurler for Down GAA, is grateful to his training partners for their swift actions that saved his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a gym session in Portaferry. The incident, which occurred after a routine workout, left him unconscious and without a heartbeat for a critical period.
On that fateful Wednesday morning, the 39-year-old was participating in a high-intensity training class when he suddenly collapsed after dismounting from an exercise bike. Keith has little recollection of the moments that followed, but witnesses reported that he stopped breathing immediately after falling to the ground.
Fortunately, a trained nurse who was also in the gym quickly initiated CPR, while others rushed to obtain nearby defibrillators. Keith later learned that the downtime before medical help arrived lasted approximately 20 to 22 minutes. Reflecting on the experience, he stated, "Without Barry (Milligan) being there and starting CPR, it wasn’t looking good that morning. I was very, very lucky." His gratitude extends to everyone who played a role in his rescue.
After spending nearly a month in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, doctors discovered that one of his main coronary arteries was blocked, leading to the insertion of a stent. As a precautionary measure, he has also had an implantable defibrillator fitted. Keith has since been cleared to resume training and gym activities, but he believes his days as an active player are likely over.
"I’ve had a good career and a good run," Keith remarked. He played county hurling until last season and had hoped to contribute another year to his club, Ballycran. However, he now feels it would be unfair to put his family through the stress of a potential recurrence. As a father of two young children, ages five and three, Keith has gained a new perspective on life, recognizing how fortunate he is to have survived such a life-threatening event.
Keith is now using his experience to advocate for greater awareness of CPR training and the importance of having defibrillators accessible in communities. He emphasized, "I’m proof that it is life-saving. If the lads weren’t in the gym with me that morning and there wasn’t a defib close by, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you today. That’s 100% true." His mission is clear: to encourage others to learn CPR and to ensure that defibrillators are available and operational in sports clubs and community organizations.
In sharing his story, Keith hopes to inspire a culture of preparedness that could save lives in the future. He firmly believes that the availability of CPR training and defibrillators is crucial for the safety of individuals engaged in sports and physical activities.
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