Local lifesavers put their CPR training to use amid cardiac crises
Friday, September 25, 2009Since 1911, the American Red Cross has issued the prestigious Certificate of Merit to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains the life of another person(s) as a direct result of Red Cross training in the areas of First Aid and CPR, aquatics, or water safety.
This is the highest award given by the American Red Cross. Certificates of Merit are signed by the president of the United States.
In any given year, only one Certificate of Merit is typically awarded in central Illinois. In 2009, however, seven people are receiving this Red Cross honor for their quick-thinking actions. It is very unusual for the Red Cross to see so many people honored at one time, says Kathy Becker, Red Cross community services coordinator.
These life-savers were featured in the Peoria Journal Star. Here are their amazing saves.
Life-saving incident No. 1: Employees save co-worker’s life after he falls to the floor
Date of incident: Oct. 16, 2007
Certificate of Merit recipients: Steve Horrie of Bradford and Raymond McGee of Princeville
What happened: On Oct. 16, 2007, while at work at in Princeville, Steve Horrie and other co-workers discovered a male employee unconscious and unresponsive on the floor. Horrie began evaluating the man’s condition. While his initial evaluation showed the man was breathing and had a pulse, in short order the co-worker went into both respiratory and cardiac arrest.
Horrie instructed another employee to call 911 and to bring the plant’s automated external defibrillator (AED). Meanwhile, Horrie began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and continued until another co-worker, Raymond McGee, arrived and took over CPR. Raymond and Steve continued performing CPR on the male victim, and when the AED was delivered to the scene, they applied it and a shock was administered. They continued caring for the victim until emergency personnel arrived and took over. Throughout the event, the victim's heart would be erratically and sometimes not at all.
Both Steve Horrie and Raymond McGee had been trained in American Red Cross CPR/AED.
Life-saving incident No. 2: Concerned patron rushes to man’s aid in restaurant rescue
Date of incident: March 20, 2008
Certificate of Merit recipient: Jackie Leitch of Morton
What happened: On March 20, 2008, Jackie Leitch was at Bennigan's restaurant in Bloomington having lunch with her mother. The two women heard a loud noise and someone shouting, “Oh, no! Art!” They heard more shouting and saw panicked people running over to the bar area.
Jackie Leitch went to check out the scene. She discovered a man, Art Kimball, collapsed in the bar area. He had been sitting with a friend at a tall table and lost consciousness. Leitch asked if she could help. The manager replied, “Yes, please!” Leitch asked the manager to help position Mr. Kimball down flat on the floor.
After finding no pulse, Leitch began rescue breaths and chest compressions as part of CPR. Kimball began breathing and regained consciousness, and was then transported to the hospital by ambulance. He was released from the hospital soon after.
Just two weeks before this emergency, Jackie Leitch had been trained in CPR by the Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter. She had sought to take the class because she was expecting a new grandchild.
Life-saving incident No. 3: Caterpillar colleagues know what to do in cardiac emergency
Date of incident: March 25, 2008
Certificate of Merit recipients: Linda Jones of Morton and Chris McGill of Groveland
What happened: On March 25, 2008, Paul Nackers arrived at work at Caterpillar in East Peoria. Within minutes of getting to his desk, he suffered a heart attack and went into full cardiac arrest. Colleagues rushed to his side.
One worker, Linda Jones, began rescue breaths while another employee performed chest compressions. Meanwhile, another Caterpillar employee, Chris McGill, was leaving the building when someone stopped him and asked if he could assist in the rescue. He agreed. A portable AED was brought to the scene. After applying the pads to Nackers’ chest, McGill administered two shocks. Emergency personnel arrived and took over. Another two shocks were administered, and Nackers was taken to the hospital.
Both Linda Jones and Chris McGill were trained in American Red Cross CPR/AED. Additionally, McGill is a Red Cross instructor in First Aid, CPR and AED.
Life-saving incident No. 4: Good Samaritans save man’s life on the golf course green
Date of incident: May 9, 2008
Certificate of Merit recipients: Justin McConnell of Peoria and John S. Heller of East Peoria
What happened: On May 9, 2008, while having a father/son golf game at the Peoria Country Club course, local businessman John “Corkey” Gray collapsed on the sixth green. He was not breathing, nor did he have a pulse. A call to 911 was made.
Fortunately, fellow golfers Justin McConnell and John Heller arrived on the green as Gray’s golf partners were trying to assist him. McConnell and Heller announced that they were trained in Red Cross CPR and offered to help. The two men tirelessly performed CPR for several minutes as they waited for an AED to arrive from the clubhouse.
Meanwhile, two physicians who had finished their golf game were at the clubhouse just as the call came in for the AED. They transported the AED in a golf cart to the sixth green. Upon arrival, they applied the pads and administered a shock, restoring Gray’s heart to a normal rhythm. Because of the difficulty driving onto the course, an ambulance did not arrive for several more minutes.
Without a doubt, McConnell and Heller kept Gray alive by using CPR until others arrived at the scene. Gray was back playing golf before fall.
*In addition to receiving framed certificates signed by the U.S. president, this year’s winners were honored at special dinner on April 2 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria. The dinner was made possible by Comprehensive Emergency Solutions. Also thanks to Methodist Medical Center for generously supporting Red Cross CPR training.
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