The following hit my desk recently, courtesy of ABC News in Baltimore. It’s just another example of why everyone should learn CPR. Because you never know…..
COLUMBIA, Md – At age 21, most people are adjusting to adulthood, but an off-duty Howard County Department firefighter is adjusting to some notoriety after she saved a man who was having a heart attack.
Stephanie Cizek is a firefighter recruit and works at the Banneker Station in Columbia. She was off duty back in April and was playing in a soccer game at the Soccer Dome near Arundel Mills mall when a fellow player, Mike Greenhill, 53, began feeling sick. He left the game but Cizek kept watching him
Cizek looked over and saw Greenhill’s chin hit his chest as he sat slumped on the bench. Cizek and a fellow referee ran over to help him. Greenhill passed out and Cizek started CPR and asked someone to call 911.
Medics arrived and took Greenhill to the hospital where he underwent surgery for an automatic implantable heart defibrillator. He has since made a full recovery.
“Firefighter Cizek did not hesitate when she saw she could help,” said Fire/EMS Chief William Goddard. “She immediately put her skills and training to use and the result will benefit a man and his family for generations to come. She exemplifies the fine men and women of HCDFRS who work to save lives on a daily basis.”
Cizek, 21, began her career in 2010, after participating in Howard County’s Paramedic Pathways Program, which prepares high school students for careers in emergency medicine.
She was my angel,” Greenhill said. “She was trained well because she knew exactly what to do. Everyone should learn CPR.” “She’s a hero,” added Greenhill’s sister, Audrey Lones. “So many different doctors have told us that it was the CPR at the Soccer Dome that was the major contributing factor in saving his life. She absolutely saved his life. We could not be more grateful to her.”
