FIVE lifesavers have been recognised for their efforts on bringing someone back from the brink of death.

Rose Gubby was taking part in the over 55s swim lessons at the Basingstoke Sports Centre on February 1, when she had a heart attack.

If it was not for the quick thinking of the staff Mrs Gubby could have drowned.

“I had got to the pool a bit early that day and felt no different,” Mrs Gubby told The Gazette.

“I started doing my breast stroke just in the shallow end when all of a sudden I just felt myself rolling over, and I couldn’t right myself.

“I felt as thought I was panicking, but the next thing I know is I am by the side of the pool, the staff had cut off my swimming costume and were performing CPR.”

Mrs Gubby added: “I was in complete shock when I came around and they told me I had had a heart attack.”

Lifeguard Simon Ellis, recognised immediately that Mrs Gubby was in difficulty and rescued her from the pool after swimming teacher Julie Oliver had asked him to check on her.

Julie raised the alarm and called the ambulance.

Health and safety officer at the sports centre Nicky Cook administered CPR with sports assistant Martin Smith and duty manager Nicola Searle preparing the defibrillator.

Mr Ellis said: “As soon as I turned her over you could see her face had gone blue.

“Thankfully we have all gone through rigorous training for these types of situations so we knew exactly what to do.”

Mrs Gubby was successfully resuscitated before the ambulance arrived on the scene.

As a sign of gratitude the five members of staff were all awarded a prestigious Royal Life Saving Society award on Thursday, 12 April.

Sally Starbuck, head of operations at the sports centre said: “We are really proud of the five members of staff who have been awarded the Royal Life Saving Society UK Meritorious Lifeguard award.

“The quick response and the actions of the staff undoubtedly saved Rose’s life.”