UMD Pre-Med student hailed a hero for life-saving CPR on father

UMD Pre-Med student hailed a hero for life-saving CPR on father

SAGINAW, MN-- A UMD Pre-Med student is being hailed a hero by his family after performing life-saving CPR on his father last week.

Lucas Weme, who's taken EMT training classes in the past performed life-saving CPR on his father, Robert Weme who was suffering from a type of cardiac arrest.

"I don't remember a lot of it," Robert said. "I was in the kitchen and next thing I knew I was waking up off the floor and walked outside to where my family was sat down on the porch and passed out again. The next thing I knew after that was my daughter yelling at me to wake up and my son and my wife hovering over me."

Robert had collapsed on the floor multiple times without a pulse and began to turn blue - signaling Lucas to act immediately.

"You know at first I was scared and then my training kicked in and I turned off my emotions and started using my skills and performed CPR on him," Lucas said.

Lucas performed what is called Bystander CPR. Duluth Fire Department officials say Bystander CPR is incredibly important, "45% who receive bystander CPR survive their cardiac arrest," said Captain Brian Black.

After Robert was awake, his family called 911 and he was taken to the hospital immediately, where he stayed for a few days. Robert was discharged early Sunday, healthy once again and enjoying a hot summer day incredibly proud of his family that saved his life.

Robert was a paramedic for 26 years and knows the impact CPR has on a person's ability to survive.

He says he is extremely proud of his son that saved his life. "I couldn't be prouder of him..or the rest of my family that was here," said Robert.

Fire Department Officials say CPR is an imperative skill to learn for situations like these and reminds people to always call 911 if a cardiac arrest is suspected.