Paramedics, hospital staff, a police officer and bystanders received lifesaving awards Thursday for their part in saving a man who went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing in Woodstock in August.
The incident occurred in the early afternoon on August 19 when the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded to a 911 call for a cardiac arrest.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Communication Specialist Alex Vucha said bystanders called 911 after noticing a person collapse on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of Hilltop Court.
The victim, Charles Peterson, was found to be pulseless and not breathing.
The bystanders were instructed by the emergency medical dispatcher at the Northeast Regional Communications Center to perform CPR.
The first arriving police officer quickly assisted the bystanders with performing CPR.
Paramedics were on the scene seconds later and were able to administer defibrillation and advanced resuscitation to Peterson, Vucha said.
The man regained a pulse prior to being transported to Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital.
He was stabilized at the hospital and later transferred to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital for post-cardiac arrest care. Peterson survived and is now recovering at home.
“Due to the swift and courageous actions of all those involved, Charles Peterson is with us today,” Vucha said.
Vucha credited the man’s survival to the bystanders’ quick actions in performing hands-only CPR.
The American Heart Association recognizes high-quality CPR as one of the most critical elements leading to surviving sudden cardiac arrest.
“Fortunately, all of the links of the AHA ‘Chain of Survival’ were put into action that day to save a life,” Vucha said.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District recognized the firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, hospital staff, bystanders and the police officer that played a part in the successful resuscitation.
All of those involved were presented lifesaving awards during a Thursday board of trustee meeting.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, which teaches CPR classes, said they encourage the public to do their part by learning CPR.