Oregon Sheriff`s Deputy Revives Man Using CPR
A Jackson County sheriff's deputy's quick actions Wednesday helped save a White City man who had stopped breathing.
An emergency call at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday from the 19000 block of Antioch Road in White City sent police and emergency medical crews rushing to the scene.
It was a report that a 49-year-old man at the residence was unconscious and not breathing, sheriff's spokeswoman Andrea Carlson said.
Deputy Gabe Burchfiel arrived on the scene prior to emergency crews and quickly began CPR on the victim, Alan Cartwright, Carlson said.
"The residence was a ways away and our deputies were in a better position to arrive first," Carlson said.
Burchfiel was able to revive the man, who began breathing on his own.
Medical responders then arrived and rushed Cartwright to the hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery, Carlson said.
Officials didn't disclose what sort of medical episode Cartwright experienced, but heart attack is a possibility.
Sheriff's deputies are required to train in life-saving techniques each year, Carlson said.
"We are required to have all sworn personnel train, but we also have our non-sworn train as well," Carlson said.
The training is hosted by sheriff's employees who are certified CPR instructors, Carlson said.
"The class lasts a day, but you can see how important it is," she said.
Medford Fire-Rescue officials say the earlier the chest compressions begin, the higher the survival rate
The key to chest compressions is to be forceful and not worry about injuring the patient's chest. Some people are hesitant to begin CPR because they are afraid of doing it incorrectly.
Medford Fire-Rescue offers free CPR classes every other month. The classes are certified by the American Heart Association, and each student will receive a CPR card upon successful completion of the course. For more information on Medford Fire-Rescue community CPR classes, call 541-774-2300.
Copyright 2013 - Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
