Xcite West LothianA West Lothian pensioner who survived a cardiac arrest while playing badminton is backing a campaign for widespread CPR training and access to life-saving defibrillators.
Iain Muir, 75, was recently reunited with the staff members who helped save his life after he collapsed at Xcite Craigswood in Livingston in May 2026.
The grandfather had just finished a game of badminton when he suffered a cardiac arrest, with players raising the alarm to staff.
Duty Manager David Mowat and colleagues at the venue carried out CPR and were using a defibrillator before paramedics arrived.
Iain says he remembers playing one game of badminton and coming off court, but then nothing else until he woke up in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary days later.
He has since undergone a double bypass and is recovering well, with hopes of returning to badminton later this year.
‘I wouldn’t be here without them’
He told STV News: “If it hadn’t been for the staff being so professional, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be here to do this interview if this happened anywhere else.”
Before his cardiac arrest, Iain, who is married with a daughter, two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter, played badminton at Xcite Craigswood twice a week.
He believes remaining active before the incident has helped with his recovery and is determined to get back to the activity he enjoys.
Iain added: “The doctors were quite surprised by how quickly I went through the phases they expected me to go through. I think keeping active has helped me with my recovery, and I’m looking forward to getting back into badminton when I’m able.
“I’ve just been gradually walking a bit further, a bit faster, just to see how I’m coping with it. Don’t get me wrong, I still get tired and forever falling asleep in the afternoon after my lunch.
“This experience has changed my outlook on life. I live every day to the fullest.”
Iain said being reunited with the staff who came to his aid was “very emotional”.
He said: “I’m just thankful.
“David went through what had happened and that one of the persons that played badminton with me had put me in the recovery position while they got an ambulance.
“That was about it. They saved my life.
“It’s reassuring for everybody. I know the impact it had on my family.”
Iain is now backing the campaign for CPR training and greater access to defibrillators.
He said: “Any place where the public are, there should be defibrillators there because it does save lives, and I’m proof of that.”
STV NewsDavid has worked with Xcite for seven years and is currently Duty Manager at the Craigswood centre.
He believes regular staff training allowed the team to act quickly and confidently when Iain collapsed.
He said: “When I first saw Iain, I went straight into my training. I checked for danger, response, airway and breathing. As soon as I knew he wasn’t breathing, I asked for an ambulance and a defibrillator over the radio, then started compressions.”
David and two other staff members then began using the defibrillator before paramedics arrived within five minutes to take over.
He added: “The team really pulled together. It was great to see everyone getting involved, reassuring people around us and making sure we were doing everything as best we could. Seeing Iain again has been amazing.”
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