Woman given instructions for CPR over the phone after calling 911
SPOKANE, Wash. — Imagine trying to save someone’s life when you have no medical training. It was the situation one North Spokane woman found herself in Saturday when she called 911, the Spokane Fire Department says.
The incident occurred on the 2900 block of West Rowan Street. The caller told the dispatcher she’d heard her roommate scream and fall to the floor. When she walked out of her bedroom, she found her roommate lying on the floor and unresponsive; his life then in her hands.
Immediately, she dialed 911. The dispatcher who answered, sent fire crews and medics to the home while simultaneously giving the woman quick instructions of how to begin CPR. Spokane Fire Department Chief Brian Schaeffer says early CPR gives first responders a better chance to save the man. They arrived minutes after the first call.
“Seconds can mean life and death when someone isn’t breathing or their heart is not pro-fusing effectively so its critical to get on the chest right away and start compressions and that’s exactly what happened,” added Schaeffer.
The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The lifesaving measure by his roommate; giving him the best chance for long-term survival.
Chief Schaeffer wrote on Facebook that one member of the fire department stuck around after the traumatic incident, to clear snow around the home on the walkways for the woman.
The fire department wants to use this as a reminder that you never know when you’ll have to spring in to action and being CPR certified, could mean the difference between life and death.
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