14-year-old found his brother face-down in the water on a family hunting trip — a life-saving lesson he learned in school left everyone stunned
Small skills learned at school can be life-saving. A family hunting trip turned into an emergency when a boy, Hunter, was found in water with his waders and boots submerged. A 14-year-old boy, Cody, from Wilson County, North Carolina, heroically saved Hunter’s life by applying a lesson he was taught at his middle school, as reported by WRAL. On January 2, 2026, Cody, along with his older brother, went on a duck hunting trip in rural Halifax County. Around 6:30 a.m., a splash led Cody to look for Hunter, a student at NC State. He saw his older brother face down in the water.
In the early morning, when Cody heard a splash, he suspected something was wrong and rushed toward the sound. He saw Hunter face down in the water. He immediately pulled Hunter out and began performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)—a skill that he had learned months ago in a health class at his middle school. Cody continued to administer CPR for nearly two minutes until help arrived. Recalling the training he received at school, he said, “It was really helpful.” Hunter revealed that he had no memory of how he got in the water. “But first, you know, I was still shocked. Didn’t really know what happened,” he expressed.
The older brother said that he is just thankful to Cody, who knew how to step in during a critical moment. Hunter was taken to Wilson Medical Center, where he received medical care. He continues to experience breathing issues. “Happy to be here. So, you know, it’s a miracle. I’m still here,” Hunter said. Meanwhile, Cody credited God with giving him the strength to save his brother. The incident taught both brothers an important lesson on how small survival skills can make a big difference. They emphasized that everyone should consider getting CPR certified, as you never know when you might save a life.
Cleveland Clinic stated that CPR is an emergency lifesaving technique where a person uses chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen flowing in the patient’s body. CPR can double or triple a person’s chances of survival if administered immediately. According to a cohort study of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), found in the National Library of Medicine, a significant number of patients survived after receiving CPR on time. The study is based on the cases analyzed between December 2011 and November 2014, emphasizing that immediate CPR plays a critical role.
When lives hang in the balance, CPR gives them a fighting chance. In another story, a teenage son, Joshua, saved his father, Robbie Gomes, who suffered a cardiac arrest while driving. Noticing a small detail from the back seat, he instantly acted, saving his entire family from a tragedy. Joshua noticed that his dad’s head had slumped over while driving; he no longer had control over the vehicle. The 16-year-old boy stood up and stopped the car. While his mother called for help, Joshua performed CPR until the first responders arrived.