WYFF: Anderson YMCA Duo Saves Man's Life
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 8:55PM An 81-year-old man is recovering at the hospital after two staff members at his YMCA brought him back to life.
Sam Anderson was found slumped back in a chair and his newly poured coffee was spilled on the floor when staff members at the Anderson Area YMCA found him.
Operations Director Wally Weathers said he immediately started doing compressions, asking others to call 911.
"I knew when I saw him that this was a life-or-death situation at this point. The training kicked in and I just went from there," Weathers said.
Moments later, anther staff member, Angel Cater, grabbed the YMCA's automated external defibrillator. Within minutes, they both worked to try and revive Anderson.
"There was no pulse. No breathing at all," Cater said.
Eight minutes later, they started seeing signs of life.
Medshore crews continued what the staffers started, but Cater stayed close, talking to Anderson the whole time.
"I just wanted him to know that we loved him and we wanted him to stay here," Cater said.
Both said they hope this helps remind people of the importance of AED's in public places.
"That's a pretty empowering thing to look at your hands and knowing that you helped save somebody. It's not about the cameras. It's not about the articles. It's about him," Cater said.
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