Online ACLS certification in Missouri

Medical stories

• Student hero: Lucas Stone's quick thinking saves life during basketball game

  Feb 6, 2024 --During an intramural basketball match, a student suddenly collapsed and experienced cardiac arrest. Lucas Stone, a senior in engineering management and a student supervisor in the athletic department, swiftly sprang into action. Initiating CPR without hesitation, Lucas coordinated efforts with fellow student staff, retrieving the automated external defibrillator (AED), contacting emergency services, and seeking professional assistance. His timely intervention provided crucial first-aid, allowing emergency responders to take over upon arrival. Thanks to Lucas's rapid response, the injured student regained consciousness following AED deployment, prompting Ethan Stencil, the student recreation manager, to commend Lucas for his life-saving actions.

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• Missouri nurses dubbed 'fantastic four' rescue man in Austrian cave crisis

  Nov 17, 2023 --Dubbed as "The Fantastic Four," a group of nurses from Missouri sprang into action overseas when a man faced a dire medical emergency inside a cave. The quartet, accustomed to tending to patients at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, found themselves in Austria on vacation when the incident unfolded. Nurse Meg Green recounted their swift response, describing how their instincts kicked in as they rushed to aid the collapsed man in a remote ice cave atop a mountain. Despite the challenges of the location and language barriers, the nurses coordinated CPR efforts until a tour guide fetched an AED, ultimately saving the man's life. Reflecting on the experience, they emphasized the serendipitous alignment of events that placed them in the right place at the right time to offer crucial assistance.

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• Teen survives remarkable cardiac arrest ordeal, revealing rare genetic disorder

  Apr 12, 2023 --A teenager in Missouri City tragically passed away at a local rock climbing gym, not due to an accident. After two hours of unrelenting CPR, young Sammy Berko was declared deceased by doctors. He had ascended the climbing wall, rang the bell, but then suddenly lost consciousness, initially leading some to believe he was playing around or fainting. It was later discovered that he had experienced cardiac arrest, and an extensive team effort involving gym staff, paramedics, and medical professionals successfully revived him after five minutes of apparent death. Sammy's remarkable recovery has astounded medical experts, considering the prolonged CPR. Although he initially suffered short-term memory loss, Sammy is now steadily regaining his strength and abilities through rehabilitation. His journey is particularly exceptional due to his diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder that affected his heart, the same condition that claimed his younger brother's life. This family's story serves as a reminder of the importance of genetic testing at birth and underscores the resilience of the human spirit.

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• Throat cancer survivor battles heart disease, inspires youth to quit smoking

  Mar 29, 2023 --Don Young, a throat cancer survivor, faced another life-threatening challenge when he suffered a heart problem. He passed out in the middle of the night, leading to a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. He underwent a catheterization procedure to insert a stent into his clogged heart artery. Don, who uses an electrolarynx to speak, was shocked by the sudden onset of heart issues and feared for his life. His heart problems, which began in 2005, were attributed to his past smoking habits. Don and his wife, Kay, formed a nonprofit called Young Choices, Inc., to educate young people about the dangers of smoking and nicotine addiction, and their efforts have had a positive impact. Don now maintains his health through a heart-healthy diet, medication, and regular check-ups with his cardiologist while staying active in the St. Louis Senior Olympics. The couple credits their Christian faith for helping them endure their 30-year journey of health challenges.

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• Gladstone couple's second chance sparks call to CPR training

  Mar 22, 2023 --A Gladstone couple's gratitude knows no bounds as they mark their 28th wedding anniversary following a harrowing cardiac arrest experience. Jennifer and Tom Schueddig were enjoying their morning routine when Jennifer suddenly collapsed, her life hanging in the balance. Thanks to Tom's swift CPR intervention and the timely response of Gladstone Fire and EMS, Jennifer survived against the odds. Now, the couple urges others to prioritize CPR training, emphasizing its critical role in saving lives. Multiple training options are available, including courses offered by North Kansas City Hospital, Meritas Health, the American Red Cross, and the American Heart Association, as well as local fire departments.

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• Cardiac arrest incidents spark community initiative to save lives

  Jan 4, 2023 --Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's recent cardiac arrest incident on Monday sent shockwaves nationwide, rekindling painful memories for some. Last summer, 17-year-old Davis Dwight suffered a similar fate during baseball practice, requiring 13 minutes of CPR, an AED, paramedics, and intubation to save him. Nick Croutz, Director of Baseball Operations at Mac N Seitz, felt a haunting déjà vu watching Hamlin's collapse, emphasizing the suddenness of such events. This prompted Ashley Dwight and her family to launch 13 Beats, an initiative to educate people about CPR and AED use. They've already trained 300 individuals and seek to ensure organizations are equipped to handle cardiac arrest cases by providing AEDs. These devices cost around $1,300, and the Dwights are working to secure funding for free distribution.

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• Off-duty officer and nurse wife save voter's life at Missouri polling site

  Nov 5, 2020 --An off-duty police officer and his nurse spouse sprang into action when a fellow voter collapsed outside a polling site at a Missouri high school. They performed CPR until the assistant principal arrived with a defibrillator and revived the individual. Liberty High School was one of two polling locations in the Wentzville School District on Election Day. The assistant principal, Dr. Matt Kiesel, learned of the incident and rushed to help with an AED device from the school nurse's office. The collapsed man regained consciousness before being taken to the hospital. The heroes' quick response received widespread appreciation.

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• Teenager survived after being unconscious for one hour

  Apr 17, 2019 --Martin Luther King' day is a day Joyce Smith will never forget. On that day, she allowed her son John to spend the night at a friend's house. But the following day when she was about to leave to pick her son up, she received a call from a friend's mom saying something has happened to John. John and his friends went to the nearby frozen lake Sainte Louise not expecting the ice to be too thin where they fell into the freezing waters below. John's friends were immediately able to get out of the water unhurt but John was submerged in the freezing water for 15 minutes before he was rescued by first responders who rushed him to the St. Joseph Hospital West. The doctors immediately performed CPR and did this for 45 minutes but John was unresponsive. Joyce, with her strong faith, did not give up and started to pray. After a few minutes, John's heart started beating again. He was transferred to the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis where doctors confirmed he experienced multiple organ failure and had lost neurological functions. John lived to tell his story.

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• Two police officers saved baby from drowning

  Dec 18, 2018 --A shocking day indeed for two police officers. Police Chief Greg Halgrimson and Cpl. Tom Calhoun were on duty when a 28-year-old father came to the police station to report that he just drowned his baby in a pond near Greenwood. The police officers rushed to the pond where the 6-month old baby was and there they saw the baby lying face up unconscious and very pale. Calhoun took the baby out of the water, cleared her lungs and began performing CPR. After a few minutes the baby started to breathe. The officers removed the baby's wet clothes and used their own shirt to keep her warm. Paramedics arrived and brought the baby to the hospital who was declared in stable condition. The father said he just wanted to make things easy for his wife that's why he wanted to kill their baby. He was later charged with first degree domestic assault.

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• A first date with CPR

  Apr 7, 2017 --Jannie Hall was a single woman ready to meet the love of her life. Little did she know that she would do it in such a way. She met a man on a date at a restaurant but everything went haywire after the fellow dropped to the floor after suffering a cardiac arrest. She started doing CPR on him just in time for the EMT services to arrive. The man is recovering at the hospital and she even asked Jannie for a second date.

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• Pregnant woman suffers cardiac arrest

  Sep 14, 2016 --Michelle Mueller and her family were camping at Bennett State Park when she suddenly went into cardiac arrest while sleeping. Her husband Mike could hear his wife struggling to breathe. Mike is a paramedic and told someone to call 911 while he started CPR on his wife. There was nurse that was camping near the family and she came to help until EMS arrived. Michelle was taken to the hospital and placed in the cardiac ICU. The baby was delievered safely, but at 15 weeks early the baby was taken to the NICU. Michelle regained consciousness after nearly two days and is recovering well. The baby, they named, Bethany, is getting stronger everyday.

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• A 12-year-old hero among us

  Sep 5, 2016 --It was thanks to a 12-year-old Boy, Kyle Prater, from Cottleville that his sister managed to be free from the icy clutches of death. It all began in an CPR class that Kyle took as a suggestion from his mother’s friend. After a long drive his sister was eating her ice cone and started to choke, that is where toddler Prater took charge and started doing the heimlich maneuver to her, a technique that he learned at his CPR class. The EMS arrived and found the little girl all safe and sound.

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• Motorist makes a heroic deed to local police officer

  Apr 30, 2015 --Officer Austin White was doing his job near the Grand Glaize Bridge when he was hit by a pickup truck. He went unconscious immediately and was critically injured. Aside from White, the pickup truck had also done damage to a police car and a Ford Ranger, both with passengers. A motorist saw the incident and rushed to White to evaluate his condition. Upon checking for a pulse, he found none. The motorist applied chest compressions immediately to revive the heart, while bystanders called 911 to respond to the accident. The police officer was carried to the hospital by an air ambulance and made a full recovery. He is yet to thank his savior for a job well done in keeping him alive.

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• Baby from burning car saved by off-duty paramedic

  Mar 20, 2015 --An off-duty paramedic was having a meal at Papa Murphy’s when a commotion outside caused his instincts to switch to quick-thinking mode. Upon checking, he found out that a car caught fire in the parking lot. The mother, who went inside Papa Murphy’s to get ordered food, had left an infant inside the smoldering car. Brandy Baker used his skills to rescue the unconscious 10-month-old and revive him with hands-only CPR. The baby was already responsive when the EMS crew arrived. The mother is thankful for Baker’s paramedic instincts and would not have forgiven herself if the child died because it was left unattended. Meanwhile, the fire is under investigation.

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• Drown for 15 minutes and live to be 15: Missouri’s Lazarus

  Feb 6, 2015 --A 15-year-old boy was walking over thin ice, which then covered the Lake St. Louis with his friends. Suddenly, the ice caved in and they all fell through. One of his friends managed to swim back to shore and get help, while the other clung for dear life on whatever ice he could hold. The boy, on the other hand, was underneath the ice, unable to resurface. He was submerged for a total of 15 minutes before rescue teams were able to pull him out of the freezing water. They worked on reviving him via CPR, an effort that extended to the hospital. After an hour, everyone was poised to give up since there were no signs of life from the boy. However, his heart restarted and that gave him another chance to live.

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• Ice victim reborn after doctors lost hope

  Feb 5, 2015 --Nobody is more shocked than the physicians and parents of Smith when he was able to regain consciousness after being announced dead for a total of 45 minutes. John was a 14-year-old teen who fell through the ice along with two other friends. The others survived the accident, but Smith was reported to be submerged for 15 minutes, decreasing his chances of survival. After calling the paramedics, Smith was transferred to a hospital where he was declared dead after a few minutes of revival attempts. However, Dr. Kent Sutterer still continued CPR, nearly losing all hope. However, the miracle happened when the mother began praying loudly. Through medical and spiritual intervention, Smith was saved.

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• Mother thanks nurse and officer for saving daughter’s life

  Feb 2, 2015 --A nurse and her family were staying in a hotel in St. Louis for her son’s ice hockey tournament. Several of the other players’ families were already there and flocking around the hotel’s pool. She then noticed a man unexpectedly dive in the water in full clothing. He scooped out a girl who was cataleptic and not breathing. The nurse immediately went to help and, along with another parent who was a county police officer. They administered CPR on the child until medical authorities arrived to take over. The girl was resuscitated and was taken to the hospital for advanced care.

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• Police officer and nurse revived child drowned in a hotel’s pool

  Jan 25, 2015 --A 6-year-old girl was unconscious when she was pulled from the bottom of a pool at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. A registered nurse and a police officer were quick to use their CPR skills and were able to revive the child. It took them five minutes of administering CPR to the little girl before she regained a heartbeat and a pulse. The lifesavers, along with the man who jumped into the pool to pull the child out, were in the city with their own children for a youth ice hockey tournament. It was fortunate that they were all in the vicinity when the accident happened.

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• Girl went shopping, ended up saving

  Nov 18, 2014 --A high school student in Missouri saved the life of a baby who was at just 11 months of age. The teen was enjoying her shopping day at Wal-mart store in High Ridge, looking for clothes. She was in a dressing room, apparently trying out some dresses for her to purchase. Suddenly, an emergency call blared through the store’s overheard speakers. She ran out of the dressing room and found a crowd huddled around a panicked mother who was holding her unconscious child. Remembering her knowledge about CPR from school a few months ago, she offered to revive the baby. She performed chest compressions until the child began to breathe again.

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• Teen became an instant hero after reviving an infant at Walmart

  Nov 17, 2014 --A senior high school student who was inside Walmart’s dressing room quickly went out when she heard someone calling for help at the store. Apparently, an 11-month old stopped breathing and the mother was trying to revive the baby. The teen, who was aisles away from the scene, immediately jumped in to help the baby. She had recently learned how to do CPR in one of her classes and was able to apply what she learned during that tense moment. With the mother and other shoppers looking on, the teen did what she needed to do and she was able to restore the breathing of the infant.

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• Woman was saved by DEO employees in Raytown after she stopped breathing

  Aug 1, 2014 --Mother and son were off to do some errands. They went to take the son’s driving test but that didn’t happen as the mother collapsed in the middle of a conversation with a driver examination office employee. The victim has heart problems, according to her son. Luckily for everyone, the employees of DEO just recently renewed their CPR training. Two employees quickly performed CPR on the victim after failing to feel pulse. The victim started to breathe and regained consciousness and was taken to a hospital by an ambulance. The victim’s family couldn’t have been more grateful to the fact that the employees were re-certified in CPR just the week before the incident.

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• Legislative candidate cares and saves a child

  Aug 12, 2012 --A mistake during the campaign period led to a legislative candidate to save a child’s life one afternoon. Rod Hoffman is visiting preferred voters to campaign for a seat in the house of representatives when he accidentally rang a house that was not on his list. However, he heard a commotion inside. A woman came out and asked if he knew CPR since a 2-year-old boy just recently got into a drowning accident. Without further ado, Hoffman’s CPR training kicked in and he administered chest compressions to the unconscious boy. The candidate and the boy’s father took turns in applying CPR until the child’s color improved. The child began breathing shortly before paramedics arrived. The family heaped praises to the legislative candidate, who greatly downplayed his involvement in the news.

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