HORTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Greenville man’s CPR training is being applauded after he saved the life of a 70-year-old woman.
It happened during a Hortonville High School band trip to Washington D.C. last week.
While on the trip, the band marched in the Independence Day Parade.
72-year-old Linda Leith tells FOX 11 it was a trip she’ll never forget.
“Basically a sudden cardiac death on the ground, to sitting here talking to you is pretty amazing.”
Leith whose granddaughter is in the band, collapsed while out touring Arlington National Cemetery with the students.
“The next thing I knew I was looking at three strange men in the back of an ambulance,” she continued. “And had no idea what happened to me.”
Jennifer Hohn was a chaperone on the trip.
“Everyone just jumped into action. I grabbed the phone to call 911. CPR began right away with Tom and Michelle, life-saving efforts took place.”
The group is applauding the efforts of Tom Veeser, who was also a chaperone on the trip, trained in CPR.
“I’m not trying to be dramatic, but she would not have lived if we didn’t have people who understood CPR immediately next to her.”
Veeser with the help of Leith’s daughter Michelle, rendered CPR to Leith until an ambulance arrived.
“Six-and-a-half minutes of CPR. And then another 15 minutes stabilizing her with an AED getting vital signs.”
Leith has since been released from the hospital and is making the trip back home to Wisconsin.
But she is stressing the importance of those trained in CPR, like Veeser.
And the ready availability of an AED, a device used for emergency heart failure.
“The real heroes are the people who know how to do that,” said Leith. “And take the time and energy to learn it and practice it.”
