Lifesaving Stories

Anyone can be a livesaver with First Aid, CPR/AED training. Knowing what to do can prepare you to prevent and respond to life-threatening emergencies. Here are four stories of ordinary people in our community who did extradordinary acts: they saved a human life.

Lisa Politi of Northampton

On Oct. 15, 2009, Lisa Politi, special education teacher at Centennial School of Lehigh University's College of Education in Bethlehem, helped save the life of a 12-year-old student.

The boy was eating lunch at his desk when he began to choke on his food and to turn blue. Lisa noticed that he was having difficulty breathing and took immediate action to clear the student's airway by administering back blows that were successful in dislodging the food. The student suffered no injuries. Lisa's Red Cross training in First Aid, CPR and AED contributed to saving the student's life.

For her heroic efforts, Lisa received The Certificate of Merit. This award is given to an individual(s) who saves or sustains a human life and successfully completes a Red Cross course in first aid, CPR, AED or aquatics prior to the performance of the lifesaving or life-sustaining act. The award is signed by the President of the United States.

Jason Weigold of Danielsville

On Oct. 27, 2009, Jason Weigold, trained in American Red Cross CPR, helped save the life of a woman at LifePath. Sandra was eating dinner when she began to choke on her food. Jason was on duty and was alerted to the commotion in the kitchen area of the house. When Jason entered, he noticed Sandra was having difficulty breathing and was signaling that she was choking.

Jason first administered back blows and then administered abdominal thrusts which were successful in dislodging the food. The skills learned in the American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course and used by Jason Weigold contributed to saving Sandra's life.

For his heroic actions, Jason received The Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder. This is one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course.

Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team of Easton

Stephanie Hartzell, Fatme Hodzhova, Andy Schneck, and Tom Schupper

At about 3:30 p.m. on March 23, 2010, a female colleague at Majestic Athletic in Easton collapsed after complaining of shortness of breath. The Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team (Stephanie Hartzell, Fatme Hodzhova, Andy Schneck, and Tom Schupper) responded to the scene and assessed the victim.

After establishing the victim did not have any signs of life, CPR was initiated and continued until care was transferred to an EMS crew. Enroute to the hospital the victim regained a pulse and blood pressure. The EMS crew and hospital staff commended the Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team for their immediate response and care which greatly improved the chance of survival for the victim.

For their heroic actions, the Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team received The Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder. This is one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course.

Chris Williams of Emmaus

On Jan. 9, 2010, Chris Williams of Emmaus, his girlfriend and his mom came home to find his older brother unconscious and in respiratory distress. Chris, the first person to find his brother, alerted his mother to call 911 and took control of the situation.

While his mother was on the phone with 911 awaiting the ambulance, 911 instructed Chris to start CPR. Chris began chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. Chris helped instruct his girlfriend and mother on properly positioning his brother's head and giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Through Chris' efforts, he was able to keep his brother alive until the ambulance arrived.

For his lifesaving efforts, Chris received the Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action. This is a local Red Cross award given to individuals for using American Red Cross lifesaving skills that saved a human life.