During a semi-pro basketball game, a referee by the name of John Sculli, had a sudden and severe heart attack. His type of heart attack actually has a nickname – the Widow Maker – because only 1% survive such an episode. However, what put him in the 1% was a basketball player from Toledo who had just graduated from Firefighter Academy. Myles immediately left the team bench and began performing CPR on the unresponsive referee. He did so until the ambulance arrived. Later that day, John underwent quadruple bypass surgery on his heart and survived.
Joe’s Perspective: This is an uplifting story about being in the right place at the right time. It makes you feel good just to watch the video. However, it is really a story about preparation. How many reading this story have taken a CPR class? How many could save a life if the opportunity presented itself? We often think it has to be a doctor, nurse or some medical professional, but any individual can take a CPR class. We (collectively) don’t have to leave it to someone else. Each one of us can prepare ourselves for medical emergencies. The question is, how many of us will do it?
Your Turn: Will this story inspire you to take a CPR class to prepare yourself to save a life someday?
