Botetourt County Fire & EMS Chief Jason Ferguson presented David Rankin of Botetourt County with the Citizen Lifesafer award in Daleville last week. Last winter, David used CPR to help save the life of his wife, Twila, who was suffering from cardiac arrest.
“On December 23rd, I experienced a pain in my shoulder that radiated to my elbow,” Twila said during a video Ferguson and the Compress & Shock Foundation presented to the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. “I said to David, ‘I can’t seem to get this worked out and may have to call and set up a doctor’s appointment.’ That’s the last thing I remembered.”
David, a former rescue squad volunteer, was there to administer CPR and stabilize Twila before Fincastle rescue workers quickly arrived on the scene. He explained during the video that because he had CPR training, he let the training take over despite the patient being a loved one.
“I hope this story encourages others to learn CPR,” Twila continued. “To support our first responders—that enables them to give someone another chance to give someone else another day.”
The Rankins and members of the response and rescue team were in attendance at the meeting.
“This is one of those few, unique opportunities to share the experience of a cardiac arrest, which is the most dire circumstance we can encounter,” Ferguson said during the award presentation. “Seconds truly do count. Thankfully, the ambulance at the Fincastle Fire Station was available to respond to their call.”
David expressed he and Twila’s gratitude for the hardworking Fire & EMS crew and thanked the Board of Supervisors for the foresight in helping put together a qualified staff of rescue workers.
