MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (WCBD) – A Mount Pleasant homeowner is thanking a man who saved his life this holiday season.

David Phillips was at the gym and during his walk, he fell, blacking out.

Phillips went into cardiac arrest.

Thankfully a trainer, Jason Spindler, came to Phillips’ rescue. He called 9-1-1, started chest compressions and used an automated external defibrillator, also known as an AED.

Charleston County EMS says properly using an AED during a cardiac situation can dramatically improve someone’s chances of survival.

“That AED is going to deliver that shock that will hopefully restart the heart and give another layer to help the chances of survival out for someone who’s suffered a sudden cardiac arrest,” said Carl Fehr, a division chief with Charleston County EMS.

Medical studies show that there’s a five percent increase in heart-related deaths during the holiday season.

For more information on CPR and AED’s visit CharlestonCounty.org.