Tonight the West Bend Common Council will host American Heart-saver Recognition Awards. There will be three heart-attack survivors and their rescuers who will be recognized for CPR skills.
One of the survivors was written up on http://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com in April when a team from the Kettle Moraine YMCA saved the life of 68-year-old Steve Riechers after he suffered a massive heart attack.
A portion of the story that was only reported on http://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com is below.
Jenny Zaskowski, director of donor development at the YMCA, greeted Riechers and said she did remember the day, quite clearly.
“I was leaving for the evening and I heard a faint voice of someone saying there’s someone downstairs who is unresponsive,” Zaskowski said. “I dropped my coat and purse and ran. We realized we needed a team to help.”
Two trainers were flagged. Chris Delcamp administered chest compressions while Jen Robertson performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The pair performed partner CPR until emergency crews arrived. Riechers was admitted to Froedtert Hospital where he eventually underwent a series of heart bypasses.
“You’re just heroes,” said Cheryl Touchett the life partner of Riechers. “This is just a testament on how brave these people are who acted so immediately. How important it is for people to learn CPR.”
During the gathering Wednesday, Riechers shook hands and received hugs from his rescuers.
“Nice to meet you under different circumstances,” said Delcamp, 46, personal trainer. “To actually see him as a person; before I hadn’t even heard his voice and now it feels like what we did was even more important.”
Robertson said knowing CPR makes you more aware and you’re not afraid to step in and help.
“Once you’ve got it in your head you just jump in and you know you’ve gotta keep going with it,” she said. “It’s easy to learn and it’s easy to put into practice.”
For video of the Y staff meeting Riechers click here
Read the rest of the story at CPR training saves life at WashingtonCountyInsider.com
Monday’s council meeting gets underway at 6 p.m.