OMAHA (KPTM)- A round of handshakes and hugs. As 42–year–old Virginia Curly meets the men who helped save her life.
“I just can’t express how grateful I am, how grateful my family is. For the great work the firefighters and paramedics that came that day.”
On July 12th, Virginia’s husband woke up and discovered his wife was in cardiac arrest.
“I thought she was snoring, but she was gasping to breath,” said Mark Curly.
Not knowing how to perform CPR that well, Mark called 911, where dispatcher Karen Green walked him through the steps.
“To me, all the kudos goes to the husband. He was so calm, and did a great job listening to all the instructions,” said Green.
When paramedics arrived, they continued giving Virginia CPR, inserted an IV into her leg bone, and began using an auto pulse to keep her alive.
For Virginia’s three kids, it was the worst feeling. Not knowing if their mom would live or die.
“Before, I probably wasn’t the best daughter. Now, I’m taking care of her more, and worry about her more,” said 13–year–old Jules Curly.
Learning CPR is also a top priority. Something the family plans to do right away with their “CPR Take Home Kit” given to them by the fire department.
“We know bystander CPR will increase survivability rate by 40 percent. We have living proof of that,” said Chief Mike McDonnell.
“We’ll never look at life the same way again. Life changing event,” said Mark Curly.
Mark was also given an award from the fire department for his role in keeping his wife alive.
Before July 12th, Virginia had no history of heart problems. Now, physically she feels fine, but did suffer some short term memory loss.