06/02/2025
In June 2024, we flew a patient from Eagle River to Wausau Hospital. His name is Joe, and he wants to share his story. Not for sympathy, but to raise awareness about the life-saving power of CPR.
It was a perfect day. Joe was laughing with the family, putting on a lip sync skit he organized with the kids, soaking in every moment. Then suddenly, without any warning, he collapsed.
His son Ben, who is a doctor in Chicago, didnโt hesitate. He started CPR immediately, while another family member called 911. They were far from any medical help, but they werenโt alone. Joeโs sister-in-law and her husband, both CPR-trained, joined in. Together, they rotated, keeping his heart beating for an exhausting 17 minutes until EMS arrived.
But thatโs not all. They had a friend on the phone; a healthcare professional Ben called for help. That friend became their lifeline: coaching them when to switch, how to stay focused, and most importantly not to give up.
Joeโs wife, Suz, was losing hope. He had turned blue. He wasnโt responding. She thought he was gone. But his teamโhis familyโkept fighting.
EMS arrived, took over CPR, and delivered a shock. No pulse. Joe was loaded into the ambulance.
Then, during the ride a second shock was deliveredโฆ
๐ฅ Success. A pulse. Joe was back.
Joe made a full recovery, with no long-term damage. Thatโs almost unheard of after such a prolonged cardiac arrest.
Why did he survive? Because of bystander CPR. Because his family acted quickly. Because someone made a call, and someone stayed calm and guided them through the chaos.
You donโt have to be a heroโjust be ready.
Learn CPR. Use it. You could save a life.