Gary Humphries (second left) holds the defibrillator that saved his life

Gary Humphries, 48, returned to the squash court at the Hawthorn Leisure Centre in Treforest, south Wales, where he collapsed three weeks ago.

Anthony Blackburn and John Hancock, who both work at the centre, were able to save his life because a defibrillator had been installed there.

Mr Humphries, from Energlyn, Caerphilly, is now joining calls for Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt to follow England's example, and make more money available for more defibrillators in public places across Wales.

There are currently 680 government-funded defibrillators in England, and the Department of Health has pledged �6m more to buy a further 2,300 machines.

However, there are just 70 machines available for public use in Wales.

Defibrillators, which cost from �1,500, can help jump-start hearts in the vital minutes before paramedics arrive - once the heart stops, chances of survival go down 23% every minute a defibrillator is not used.

Only the good die young - I aim to keep living as long as I can Gary Humphries

Mr Humphries' appeal was backed up by Dr Michael Colquhoun, Medical Director of the Welsh Ambulance Service and Chair of the UK Resuscitation Council.

"We don't need that many in Wales, as we don't have big airports or train stations, but the ones we do should be equipped," said

An assembly spokesperson said Ms Hutt was proposing "to meet the Ambulance Service, the three Cardiac Networks and the British Heart Foundation to look at ways of building on the excellent work already being undertaken in this area".

Mr Humphries, who works at General Electric, was playing against colleague Mike Smith, 34, on 26 November when he collapsed.

Mr Smith said he saw Mr Humphries fall backwards and, after checking he was breathing, ran to get help.

It was the first time that the two leisure centre staff had used the machine, installed 18 months ago.

"We had a refresher course every six months - we had one in September," said Mr Hancock.

"It is strange to see him (Mr Humphries) - he looks much better than the last time we saw him."

Mr Humphries, whose father died from a heart attack aged 46, said he was determined to make the most of his second chance.

"Only the good die young - I aim to keep living as long as I can," added Mr Humphries, who will turn 49 on Christmas Day.

"You don't realise how short life is - I can't thank the guys enough."

Since the attack, Mr Humphries and his wife Pam have decided to buy a caravan in west Wales to enjoy over summer weekends.

Mr Humphries and Mr Smith are behind plans for a defibrillator to be installed at General Electric, and Mr Humphries' wife is campaigning to install one at Legal and General, where she works, too.