Michael Anthony's Blog
the importance of CPR
i jump on the fwy, and decide to pull back off and get some gas...
i see a shell station with a decent price and for some reason, at the last second, i pull into a chevron that is selling for a higher price...
since its cheaper next door, nobody else is getting gas where i am but i decide to stay there and gas up...
i hear a thud behind me, and turning around, i see an elderly man lying on the ground next to his car...
something takes over me and i spring into action... i run to the booth and yell at the cashier to dial 911, man down in the parking lot...
i run to his side and he is lying there face down with a small pool of blood flowing from his nose... i poke him to see if he is responsive and see him exhale his last breath...
looking down at his pelvic area, i see incontinence, so i KNOW at this time, he is in real trouble... his wife comes out of the car freaking out and i get her to calm down as i roll him over to his back and spread his arms out... he is still unresponsive and his lips are turning blue...
without so much as blinking, i rip his jacket open and quickly unbutton his dress shirt to see if he is breathing... nothing...
i reach for his carotid on the neck... no pulse... i check his airway passage and have his wife move his tongue... nothing...
as if on their own, my arms assume the position to begin chest compressions, and i verbally instruct the wife to pinch his nose, clear his airway passage, and begin blowing air...
the two of us begin CPR...
at one point she seemed to give up, and fighting back tears in my eyes i refuse and continue on... a man walking by sees the commotion and rushes to our aid and takes over breathing air into the lifeless form, and we continue our battle to revive him as sirens blare in the background...
5 mins seems to last an eternity but the paramedics arrive to relieve us and bring some real medical attention to the victim...
sitting there watching them work feverishly on the man, i am overcome with tears and trembling... the reality sets in that this poor old man was dead but i just could not give up... i had to keep trying...
the police take me away from the scene for questioning for their report, and as the paramedics load the victim into an ambulance, one of the paramedics approaches us and advises that they got a pulse... they shook my hand and told me that had we not been there to administer CPR as soon as we did, he would not have made it at all...
i helped save a life on the day after xmas... it was surreal... it was scary... it was an emotional roller coaster...
im glad as hell that i was able to remember the CPR basics when it really mattered...
i need to go and re-take a class... it's important to know CPR...
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10 of 12MoreMichael that is amazing! I started getting teary eyed when I read this.
You are a man of honor Sir!
Thank you for the post.
I learned CPR and other first aid in elementary school and my wife is an RN. I've never had to use CPR on a person but there are other things that I have, like the Heimlich maneuver. I have rushed to the aid of accident victims and understand the emotional roller coaster that you spoke of. Your post reminds me that I, too, should re-study my CPR.
Thanks again!
That's amazing! Right place, right time.. You're going to be that guys Hero forever!
Well done Michael. Training is everything in a moment of crisis.
I need to renew my certs as well. -ge
Wow! That's all I can say.
I'm SO happy you were there for him. And I'm sure he and his wife are too. What a great Christmas gift for you and them. I've gotta take a CPR class!
Yvette
That's sooo awesome.........Thank God u were there to assist in saving his life......From the sounds of it u did the best u could and u helped make a difference..........I'm required 2 take C P R and FIRST AID due to being a Foster Parent.........and 1 day if anything ever happens I hope I can make a difference like u did!!!!!!! Ur a great guy!!!!!!!Much luv goes out 2 all those who take that extra step 2 help other's in need.............
Tracy
Lots of respect my friend. I had a minor heart attack just before Christmas but was fortunate to be two blocks from a hospital. I'm happy to say that those around me have enrolled in a CPR class. I have had my CPR since I have been a teenager and saw a car accident ( it encouraged me to understand more so I could help others). You have changed someone's life by being unselfish and educated. It's a true gift to others as well as to ones self.
Wow man that is amazing.... god bless you... xoxo Hollie
We need more concerned citizens like you in this world, God bless you for your actions!
Wow Michael, you saved a life. That's amazing! You're a hero! Fate!