Everyday heroes: Quick thinking and action save lives in ordinary circumstances
Published: December 4, 2007
It was a typical workday at American Family Insurance on Mukilteo Speedway. The only unusual thing was that Amy Drewel and Steve Medalia, who operate agencies in the same office, were both there that day. As busy agents they’re rarely in the office, let alone at the same time.
Steve was the first to jump up from his desk when they heard a commotion. Amy, aware of the fact that one of their temporary employees had a seizure condition, knew instantly what was happening and dialed 911. While other staff members froze in panic, Steve and Amy went into action to help the young woman seizing under her desk. Steve heard the words, “she’s purple,” and knew what needed to be done. The young woman was not breathing.
It had been about two years since Amy had taken a CPR class; five for Steve, but the office partners began to work as a team like never before.
“I just looked at Amy and said, ‘let’s go,’” recalled Steve. Amy began rescue breathing and Steve did chest compressions after being unable to detect a pulse. “It’s kind of like riding a bike,” said Steve. “We may not have done everything correctly, but you do what has to be done. Anything is better than nothing.”
“We didn’t even really talk, we just reacted,” said Amy. “That’s why you need to get training.”
The two continued CPR until paramedics arrived.
But it wasn’t until later that night, when each of them arrived at their own homes, that the adrenaline kicked in. “Wow, I saved someone’s life,” Amy said to herself.
The two are among a small group of Snohomish County residents being honored on Dec. 6 at the American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast in Everett.
“It feels good to be honored, but anybody can be a hero,” said Amy.
“They most definitely deserve to be honored as heroes,” said co-worker Janessa Kirchgessner, who was in the office that day. “They managed to pull us together and give us instructions because we were really frightened.”
Since the incident, Amy and Steve have taken steps to make sure the rest of their staff gets trained in CPR and first aid, and double-checked the supplies in their office first aid kit.
Kamiak High School sophomore Ben Larkin of Mukilteo is also among those being recognized at the Real Heroes Breakfast. Ben had only been enrolled in a lifeguard training class for a few weeks last fall when his newly acquired skills were put to the test.
While doing drills in the pool one day, Ben was pretending to be a drowning victim when his rescuer, an 18-year-old senior, had a seizure and became unconscious.
“He just stopped (swimming) and started convulsing,” Ben recalled. “His face was white and his eyes rolled up.”
Ben took hold of the rescue tube and pulled his partner to the side of the pool. “I just knew I needed to keep his head above water. I got to the side and yelled for help,” he said. “Afterward I was just shaking.”
Ben is humble about his heroic efforts, seeing himself as “just helping somebody out.” He knows that the result could have been much worse if they had been swimming around in the pool. With all the noise and activity going on, it would have been easy to miss the fact that someone was in trouble.
“Anybody can be a hero if they’re just there are the right time,” said Ben. The episode has spurred him to learn more lifeguard training, he said.
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