A TEENAGER saved his father’s life after his heart suddenly stopped.

Ethan Wood put his critically ill father, Peter, into a life-saving position and called 999.

Almost five months later, 47-year-old Mr Wood has made a miraculous recovery and says he has never felt better.

Harper Green pupil Ethan now wants everyone to be taught life-saving skills after those he learned proved so vital in saving his father’s life.

Ethan, aged 15, said: “I got home at 9pm after a day out at the Trafford Centre and my dad was in terrible pain.

“He was holding his chest and was saying he could not breathe properly, he was heaving but not being sick.

"At that moment I knew something was wrong and everything that I had learned in my first-aid course with cadets came back to me.

“So I rang an ambulance. I told my dad to sit up straight and undo his top button so that his airways were clear.

“After that I couldn’t do much else I just stayed calm myself and reassured my dad and prepared for the worst case, which would be CPR.”

The ambulance arrived and Mr Wood’s heart stopped while his son was holding his hand.

Ethan said: “I heard the defib go off and I burst into tears because I didn’t know if they would bring my dad back.”

Paramedics restarted Mr Wood’s heart, although he had to remain in hospital until December 26.

The family had Christmas Day in Wythenshawe Hospital, where Mr Wood, who had not previously been ill, had a stent fitted before having a traditional Christmas celebration on Boxing Day.

Ethan said: “My dad is making a full recovery and has never been this fit.

"The paramedics did an amazing job and I would like to meet them because they deserve more credit than they get.

"Also I would like to thank my cadets for teaching me my First aid and Heart Start.

“The paramedics did check up on my dad in hospital and said if it wasn’t for me he would have been dead before the ambulance got there.”

Only child Ethan, who has ambitions to become an RAF pilot, was taught essential lifesaving skills at 80 (Bolton) Squadron, where he is an Air Cadet.

He said: “I never thought I would have to use the skills, but we were told you are more likely to use First Aid on people who know rather than you don’t know.

“I think it is important for everybody to learn First Aid.”

Mr Wood, an engineer, said: “I am very proud of Ethan, if it was not for him I would not be here now.

“Every young person should be taught lifesaving skills, starting with being able to dial 999 and then building on that.”

He added: “Everybody in the family has now been taught lifesaving skills.”

The Bolton News has teamed up with Bolton West MP Julie Hilling to ensure children leave school knowing how to save a life with the Every School-leaver a Lifesaver campaign.