NSVL's Steven Mather was presented with a certificate of commendation from the Royal Lifesaving Society on Friday 23rd March after he saved one of the country's most senior lifeguard trainers from choking.

Steve demonstartes the abdominal thrust which saved Barbara's life

But quick-thinking lifeguard Steven Mather ran from his seat and applied abdominal thrusts to dislodge the piece of food - saving her life.

Mrs Broadbelt, who is the first responder co-ordinator for lifesavers in the north east, was left with a sore throat and bruised ribs but was otherwise unharmed.

Mr Mather, aged 28, of Gardner Park, said: "I could see Barbara was struggling to breath and I jumped up from the table to help her. You don't have time to stop and think in that situation - your instincts just take over.

"At first I tried hitting her hard on the back about five times, but when that didn't work I applied abdominal thrusts, and luckily the food came out after the third one.

"It didn't really hit home that I had saved her life - probably because there were at least seven people at that table who could have done the same thing as me - I just happened to be sitting closest to her."

Mrs Broadbelt had arranged the dinner meeting at a Sedgefield pub to discuss new training methods and the distribution of defibrillators to volunteer life savers.

Steve accepts his certificate from the Mayor of North Tyneside

Mrs Broadbelt, who lives at Fishburn in County Durham, said: "I can't thank Steven enough for his quick thinking - if it wasn't for him I would not be here now.

"The experience was absolutely terrifying. I couldn't breathe and I stood up at the table in a panic, and that's when Steven rushed round to help me. He undoubtedly saved my life that night."
Some of the region's most experienced lifeguards and first aiders were at the meeting - and some even had life saving equipment in their cars, just outside the pub.

Mrs Broadbelt added: "It's so ironic that it happened there. I was just so lucky to be with people who knew what to do. Until something like that happens, you don't realise how important basic life saving skills are.

"But if it had to happen anywhere, I can't think of a better place than in a pub full of trained life savers!"
Mr Mather said: "This experience has really brought it home to me that accidents can happen anytime and in any situation. You really do have to be prepared for anything."

The certificate was handed over by the Mayor of North Tyneside as NSVL played host to a training weekend for some of the top lifeguards and lifesavers in the country.