Did you know that over 70% of most cardiac and breathing emergencies occur in the home when a family member is present and available to help? With that estimation, having CPR training is integral for us all.
[bctt tweet=”His heart stopped, but CPR saved him. Check out how this Minnesota man and others were saved through the power of CPR!” via=”no”]
CPR Survival Stories
You won’t always have access to emergency help when someone chokes or suffers from a heart attack. Having CPR training could be the difference between someone taking their last breath or being able to wake up the next day. Check out how these 3 people that were saved with the power of CPR.
- Bystanders Find Older Man
- Marathon Runner Loses Consciousness
- Texas Girl Saves Father
1) Bystanders Find Older Man – “He wasn’t breathing”
The story of Howard Snitzer, 54 from Minnesota is a testament to the value of CPR. When Snitzer was headed to the store, he suffered cardiac arrest and fell to the ground. Nearby first responders ran from a nearby business and immediately started performing CPR. Minutes ticked by and responders continued with CPR along with electrical shocks from a defibrillator and special medications. After 96 minutes, Snitzer’s heart finally went back into rhythm and he was rushed to the hospital. According to doctors, if bystanders hadn’t initiated CPR as soon as they did, Snitzer wouldn’t have survived. Today, Snitzer couldn’t be more thankful for CPR and has dedicated his life to promoting CPR training.
2) Marathon Runner Loses Consciousness – “It was a nightmare”
Instead of celebrating, Kyle Woods was transported to the hospital soon after he crossed the finish line for his first half-marathon. Doctors still don’t know why, but 24-year-old Woods passed out and went into full cardiac arrest on the asphalt. A team of six emergency personnel took turns performing chest compressions and sending electric shocks through a defibrillator to his heart. After 12 minutes, Woods’ heart finally started beating. Today, the marathon runner owes his life to the UCHealth medical team who were stationed near the finish line. If they hadn’t been trained in CPR and been readily available, the completion of Woods’ first half-marathon would’ve had a different ending.
3) Texas Girl Saves Father – “…his voice sounded really weird.”
On her way out the door, Aly DeMarco heard her dad, Michael, call out for her in a high-pitched voice. While her first inclination was to ignore him, the inflection in his voice made her turn around. What she found was startling, especially for a 12-year-old girl. Michael had collapsed from cardiac arrest. Fortunately, Aly had just completed a babysitting CPR class where she was trained to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing exercises. After, 10 minutes, emergency paramedics arrived and took Michael to the hospital where he was in a coma for six days. When he woke up, doctors agreed that the quick response by his daughter was the main factor in his survival. Today, Aly is thankful for her training and her father–without the power of CPR, she wouldn’t have him at all.
Pro Tip: Adolescents between the ages of 11 and 14 should receive specialized CPR training if they will be caring for children without supervision. It will ensure peace of mind for both parents and babysitters in the safety of their children.
Get CPR-Certified
When disaster strikes, are you going to be ready? Our CPRologists are ready to train you so that you’re prepared when cardiac arrest occurs. It’s only a matter of time before you’re faced with an emergency situation and it’s imperative that you’re CPR-certified.
Do you know someone who was saved by CPR? Share with us on social media!
