‘A true miracle’: Woman’s CPR skills save partner after cardiac arrest

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville couple is speaking out about the importance of CPR after a medical emergency.

“I know it was a miracle to be here because everybody said I was like 1% or less of a chance of surviving this,” said Scott Clark.

Lisa Rodriguez and Scott Clark met in October and celebrated Thanksgiving together. Then, early the next morning, Clark felt a pain in his chest.

Clark collapsed and stopped breathing.

“I guess I caught him because he didn’t hit the floor,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who took one CPR class three years ago, had to breathe for him.

“I was continuing to do the compressions, but I also recognized somehow, by the grace of God, that that snoring sound was not breathing,” said Rodriguez. “And I just started kind of smacking him in the face on both sides and screaming his name. And he just took these deep, lunging breaths.”

Rodriguez said Rural Metro came 13 minutes after she called, and that EMT’s told her that if not for her quick-thinking and knowledge of CPR, Clark might not have made it.

“They said it’s pretty much unheard of to shock somebody 16 times,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez wants everyone to learn CPR but believe she can’t take credit for Clark’s recovery.

“It’s a true miracle. I mean, there’s no other explanation. There’s medically nobody can explain it,” said Rodriguez.

The couple visited Rural Metro Fire Station 10 and thanked first responders for saving his life. They were shocked to see how well he is doing. But healing takes time, and he still struggles at times. Clark said he was 58 before Rodriguez gently corrected him and said he was 63.

“I was born in 62. That’s what I have a hard time with sometimes just doing those short term, like additions,” said Clark.

Clark’s father and brother both died from heart attacks at 58 years old. It’s why he got an elective quadruple bypass. But he still went into cardiac arrest.

“They put a combination defibrillator pacemaker in for him. So I told him he’s got like a little EMT team running around in his chest right now,” said Rodriguez.

Now he seems ready to start the next chapter of his life.

“We’re soulmates. Bonded forever. We’re going to blend our families,” said Clark.

Rodriguez agreed. The couple is grateful for the EMTs who saved Clark’s life, and for everyone who kept him in their prayers. It’s why Rodriguez believes in miracles.

“God gave me the strength and I did it for 13 minutes,” said Rodriguez.

Clark is on the road to recovery, but not everyone is so lucky. According to the American Heart Association 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year. Over 90% of all people who go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die. Those that survive often end up suffering severe health issues.

Clark is walking again but is still in treatment for short-term memory loss.