May 19, 2013
News
Mid GA EMT Saves a Life in Hawaii
Clinton Bourgeois
"EMTs and paramedics are never really off duty," said Middle Georgia EMT Andrew Werkheiser.
Even when on vacation in Hawaii. Werkheiser was on a family vacation in Oahu in late December, when he noticed a crowd of people surrounding an unconscious man, whose face and lips were blue. That's when Werkheiser sprung into action.
"I noticed he wasn't breathing and I also noticed that he didn't have any pulses so I immediately began CPR," said Werkheiser.
Werkheiser would spend over 10 minutes on his hands and knees pumping into the victims until paramedics arrived, but he wasn't done helping yet.
"I helped them put pads in place with the AED, we shocked him."
Werkheiser said it's something that comes natural to the MGA crew.
"When someone is in need like that, it's something that we have a hard time not stopping and helping," he said.
Once the victim was taken to the hospital, Werkheiser called the local hospitals until he found where the man was being housed and left his contact information to keep updated on the man's status.
The victim is recovering at home in Michigan and since then his family has used the contact information to make contact with Werkheiser. Thanking him for his quick thinking and special training.
"They keep thanking me and that's honestly more than enough."
Werkheiser is planning to make the trip to Michigan to meet with the survivor. He urges everyone to take a CPR class which Mid Georgia Ambulance offers on the third Saturday of every month.
Here's the link to sign up: http://www.midgeorgiaambulance.org/hand-2-heart-cpr
