Ken Toren, right, executive director of the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter, addresses Los Gatos resident Bruce Richardson at a May 25 ceremony where Richardson was awarded the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action for saving a man's life. (Photo by Virginia and Albert Becker/ American Red Cross)
When Bruce Richardson saw a man collapse in the parking lot of an auto parts store in Los Gatos, he sprung into action.
The man was in cardiac arrest, and Richardson began performing life-saving CPR while an employee at the shop called 911.Richardson, who was part of a volunteer ski patrol and has 23 years of first aid and CPR training, said he knew exactly what to do.
“It’s just amazing how the training just totally kicked in. I was extremely calm,” Richards said. “I knew exactly what to do. It was like second nature to me.”
Richardson received the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action on May 25 for his efforts. The man whose life he saved earlier this year went on to have quadruple bypass surgery and is recovering.
Saving a life has been a life goal for Richardson ever since he saw his father die of a heart attack when he was 15 years old.
“That left a big mark on me, and after that I always wanted to avenge that event,” he said.
Seven months ago he saw his twin brother die of a heart attack as well.
“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals like Bruce, who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Ken Toren, executive director of the Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter. “His willingness to help others in distress is admirable. He exemplifies the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
Starting CPR immediately after someone collapses can mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations, Richardson said.
“I didn’t really think that much of it, but after talking to people, it’s amazing how important it is to start CPR is right away, and how rare a save is,” Richardson said. “It’s just compressions. … It’s so easy and everybody should learn it because it could save somebody’s life.”
Originally published at Hannah Kanik