The Collapse I Never Saw Coming
On April 8, 2020, my life changed in an instant.
It started as a relatively normal, shutdown morning. My husband, Andy, and I went out for a run. I felt great—healthy, energized. But less than a mile in, without any warning, I collapsed.
I had gone into sudden cardiac arrest. Andy caught me as I fell to the ground.
I don’t remember much of what happened next, but Andy does. A former EMT, he immediately jumped into action. He yelled for someone to call 911 and began bystander CPR right there on the pavement—pushing hard and fast in the center of my chest to keep my blood flowing.
He didn’t stop until paramedics arrived.
That immediate action—those hands-only chest compressions—saved my life.
No Symptoms. No Warning. No Reason to Expect It.
What’s most terrifying about sudden cardiac arrest is how it strikes. I had no warning signs, no known medical history that suggested I was at risk.
In the hospital, I learned something shocking: I had a congenital heart condition—a defect I’d been living with since birth, completely undetected until that day.
It was a reminder that even the healthiest-seeming person can experience cardiac arrest without warning.
CPR Saves Lives — But Too Few Are Ready
Every minute without CPR reduces survival chances by up to 10%. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s a fact. Yet only about half of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital receive bystander CPR.
Let that sink in: More than half of us wouldn’t know what to do if a loved one suddenly collapsed.
Learning CPR training and AED awareness can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
Why CPR Training Should Be as Common as a Driver’s License
We take classes to drive. We get certified to handle food. We learn first aid at work.
So why not CPR?
The skills are simple. The impact is massive.
Nearly 75% of cardiac arrests happen at home, meaning you’re most likely to save someone you love.
CPR takes just a few hours to learn and can be taught anywhere—schools, offices, gyms, even your favorite neighborhood bar.
Learning CPR isn’t just an act of preparedness—it’s an act of love.
You Don’t Have to Be a Medic to Save a Life with CPR
Andy had EMT training, but you don’t need to be a medic to be someone’s hero. You just need to:
- Recognize the signs: collapse, no breathing or gasping, no response.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Start compressions: push hard and fast in the center of the chest, about 100–120 beats per minute (think of the song Stayin’ Alive).
Hands-only CPR is simple, and it can be the difference between life and death.
Even if you’re scared or unsure—doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Be Someone’s Andy
I’m alive today because someone I love knew what to do and didn’t hesitate to do it.
That’s why we created the Sydney Saver Program—to make sure lifesaving skills like CPR and AED training are not rare; they’re everywhere.
Through the Sydney Saver Program, the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (OHHF) is bringing CPR training to schools, businesses, gyms, and yes—even your local bar.
We’re building a world where anyone, anywhere, can step in and save a life.
Sign up for CPR training or host an event today
Screen. Train. Save. Because you might be the only one standing between life and death.
