11-year-old panics as dad collapses — then remembers one crucial 'Girl Scouts' lesson that saved his life
It is important to be aware of emergencies and how to act or provide basic treatment for the same. Astute action can save a person’s life. CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) has been known to save thousands in the nick of time. The former is something even individuals can administer before medics arrive if learned correctly. 11-year-old Vada Carawan is grateful to have learned how to administer CPR shortly before her dad, Clinton Carawan, was in dire need of the same, per WMTV13. The dad was facing heart issues and suffered an attack when he was with his daughter and she heroically managed to save his life with the emergency treatment.
The duo were together when Clinton began experiencing chest pain and noted that it was some kind of heart symptom. Soon, he collapsed and Vada was trembling with fear. In the fleeting moments as she thought about losing her dad, something pushed her to dial 911 and quickly seek help. "I told (the dispatcher) that my dad fell back. He's trying to gasp for air," the girl recalled. Dr. Deepak Talreja, the chief of cardiology at Sentara Health, pointed out that Clinton suffered a “sudden cardiac death.” "With sudden cardiac death, it's a sudden event. It happens with no warning and a person just collapses to the ground with no heartbeat and no pulse, they're clinically dead," he remarked.
The girl quickly remembered that she had taken CPR lessons just a few days before. “Girl Scouts. Eleven days ago, I went to Girl Scouts. Dad actually drove me," she recounted. She immediately began administering the CPR to her dad based on all she had learned. The dispatcher guided her through, per News Nation. Her fear was transitioning into a brave calm as she realized she had some power to save her dad’s life. “I didn't really think about it. I was just like, ‘I need to save my dad's life. That's the main focus right now. Chest compressions. I need to do it, once the EMT comes then I can break down in tears,’” the 11-year-old mentioned.
The girl confidently completed the procedure until the medics arrived and it made all the difference. Talreja noted, “The really good news is in the time it took to get the emergency medical services there because he was getting CPR. That kept his brain alive in time for life-saving interventions to arrive. Unquestionably, she saved his life that night.” The dad, now recovering, is grateful for the way his pre-teen handled such a delicate situation. "I tear up thinking about it every time. It's amazing. I can't believe it," he said.
Her mom, Amanda, added, “I still tear up talking about it. It’s life-changing, I’m so proud of her.” The entire scenario is echoing two lessons: to be brave and to act fast. "By getting 911 involved, the team can talk you through, for example, doing the CPR, getting the compression rates right," Talreja said. The 11-year-old added, "You can do anything that you put your mind to, no matter how old you are. I think that's important for everybody to know. I saved a life!"