Missoula Citizen Performs CPR on Accident Victim, Saves a Life

Missoula Citizen Performs CPR on Accident Victim, Saves a Life

Over the weekend, a man in his 70’s was in a motor vehicle accident near Missoula and his heart stopped, however, an unidentified off-duty nurse who stopped at the accident scene provided CPR on the victim, restarting his heart. When first responders arrived, the paramedics reportedly shocked the man’s heart three more times on the way to the hospital.

He is being treated and will undergo surgery, but the quick action at the accident scene played a huge role in saving the man’s life.

With that in mind, I contacted Adriane Beck, Director of Missoula County Emergency Services for details about others in the community learning CPR.

Diane Beck Urges Missoula Adults to Learn 'Hands-Only' CPR

“We live in an amazing community with amazing citizens who are willing to save a life,” began Beck. “We are fortunate enough to have funding available to provide ‘hands-only’ CPR training to anyone who wants to learn that so that they too could be in that situation where they witness a cardiac arrest and are able to provide life-saving intervention just by using ‘hand-only’ CPR.”

Beck knows better than most the value of first aid training.

“We know, and statistics show that early intervention of CPR while you’re waiting for that automatic external defibrillator and while you’re waiting for the first responders to arrive, really does have the best outcome for someone to survive a cardiac arrest.”

Click the Links to get the CPR Training

Beck provided contact information for anyone who may want to receive the ‘hands-only’ CPR training.

“The public can either call the Missoula Fire Department at 406-552-6210 Monday through Friday to inquire about CPR classes,” she said. “They can also go to the Missoula Fire Department’s website which has a public education tab, where they can learn more about the different CPR courses that are offered by the fire department. The ‘hands-only’ CPR course is free to the public, and they have a schedule posted on their website.”

Beck wanted the public to also know about a new app that can help provide lifesaving information.

“We’ve deployed an app in Missoula called ‘Pulse Point’, which the public can download once they’ve had that ‘hands-only’ CPR training, and when these incidents occur and are reported to 9-1-1 if they happen to be in a public place such as Caras Park, at a Grizzly Football game, and that person who is CPR trained with that app would be notified if their services are needed, if they are in that proximity.”

The Accident Victim's Family Deeply Grateful for the Emergency CPR

The accident victim’s family is deeply grateful that their loved one received that emergency CPR.

I urge all who are capable of providing CPR to please take the ‘hands-only’ course provided by the Missoula City Fire Department at 406-552-6210.

Beck also asked that all Missoula County residents take note of the Red Flag warning conditions and be especially careful with fire as the possible lightning and wind conditions that are expected.