Joseph's Story

As finals season was coming to an end, Joseph was studying on campus for his last exam. The campus was pretty much empty since most students finished their exams for the semester. Joseph, the only one on the fourth floor, was standing by his locker and reaching for his textbook. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. As Joseph turned around, he found his classmate helpless and pale, motioning for help. Joseph realized that she was choking. Time was of the essence.

He quickly recalled what he learned in a Blink CPR class. Performing the Heimlich Maneuver, Joseph hoped to dislodge the object from his classmate’s throat. However, the item stuck in her throat wouldn’t dislodge, and within seconds she passed out.

Kneeling alongside his classmate’s still body, Joseph quickly dialed 911 with one hand and began CPR with the other. 30 compressions 2 breaths, 30 compressions 2 breaths, 30 compressions 2 breaths… He pounded on her chest and tried to breathe new life into her mouth. Joseph was yelling his location to the 911 operator on speakerphone while he continued performing CPR. Little by little, he felt her heart begin to beat. By the time the EMT’s arrived, the item had dislodged, her pulse had regained and she was breathing again.

The EMT’s examined their patient and thankfully she was completely healthy and didn’t even need to be transported to the hospital. As the EMT’S were leaving the scene, they turned to Joseph and told him that he literally saved his classmates’ life. Thank G-d, Joseph was in the right place at the right time and knew exactly what to do.

Following the dramatic incident, Joseph stated that “there was no one else who could help me; it was the last day of the semester, the hallways were empty. I kept going, all the while screaming for her to "stay with me", as if that could help. 9-1-1 told me they're on their way. I kept pushing. And then I heard her pulse begin to beat again. It took 9-1-1 six minutes total to reach me. But it felt like a million years. I know there was no shot she was making it if I did nothing. And 9-1-1 confirmed just that. They told me I saved her life, and asked me where I learned how to do CPR. "From BLINK", I said, "just a few months ago".”