Three Bloomington-Normal YMCA employees received National Lifesaving Awards Monday from the American Red Cross of Central Illinois.
They were recognized for their heroic acts in helping save a YMCA member last winter., and also received a Bloomington Fire Department letter of recognition with their awards.
Jordan Mueller, Lena Flitz and Tim Ready sprung to action on Dec. 26, 2024, when Mark Forth collapsed while using a rowing machine.
“I saw Mark lifeless on the floor," said Ready, who is the facility's aquatics director and responded with his colleagues to the "code blue."
"There was no pulse and breathing so I immediately started chest compressions like I’ve been trained to do for so many years,” said Ready.
The team also used an Automated External Defibrillator [AED] machine that provides an electrical shock to restart the heart.
“I immediately removed the clothing off Mark and shocked him. We did about five or six rounds of chest compressions and then I noticed signs of life as I was pressing on Mark’s chest.”
Forth was conscious when paramedics arrived. He was then transported to Carle BroMenn Medical Center.
The American Red Cross recognizes those who assist in in saving someone’s life in a significant way after receiving training in a Red Cross Training Services course. The agency has given 430 awards to individuals who helped save 200 lives over the past year.
“It is our hope that your heroic actions inspire others to get trained, as well,” said Lyn Hruska, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central Illinois, speaking to the three award recipients.
Capt. Frank Friend attended the award ceremony on behalf of the Bloomington Fire Department.
“Your preparedness and calm demeanor in a stressful situation are truly commendable. You are a shining example of how quick action and proper training can make a life-or-death difference,” Friend said to the trio.
Friend said bystanders' willingness to step in during a medical emergency is critical to a patient's chances of surviving, even if they don't have training or a CPR certification; 911 operators also are trained to talk someone through how to perform CPR over the phone.
"I can tell you from 30 years of experience that people who have not CPR performed on them prior to us arriving have a very dismal survival rate," he said. “The science tells us now that we don’t have to do mouth-to-mouth; we can just do chest only compressions and that makes all the difference.”
Forth said he experienced no symptoms before collapsing and doesn't recall the incident. Paramedics determined he had experienced a heart attack and doctors put a stent in his heart. Forth is attending cardiac rehab. And he's already back at the "Y" working out.
“I’m probably 95% back up to speed and I’m doing well. Thankfully for the YMCA and the Bloomington fire rescue, I am here,” Forth said.
