By: William H Jones Jr

Paul Miller started a new job at the 14th Street Y and signed up to take a First Aid/AED course on January 15, 2024, through American Red Cross training provider Aquatic Solutions. He picked the date because he was off from his job as a social worker in the New York City public schools. Little did he know that his training would be put to the test just four days later.

During his third shift as a fitness instructor, Paul’s colleague ran over to him to share a patron, Dominic, had collapsed upstairs.

“I ran upstairs and found Dominic losing conscious, turning blue, vital signs decreasing, and going into cardiac arrest,” Paul shared. “Once I had 911 (on the phone), and they suggested to turn him on his side, but then he stopped breathing. That was when I knew I had to start performing CPR and get some kind of blood flowing through his bloodstream.”

Paul had asked his colleagues to run to the fire house next door for more assistance as they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

“About three minutes, four minutes into it, that was when the first fire department member came into the room, they tapped me out in order to continue CPR.” 

For his actions, Paul received the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. This is the highest award given by the American Red Cross to individuals or groups of individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

During an award presentation ceremony, Dominic and Paul met for the first time.

Dominic shared, “This is my first time hearing the details. I lost two weeks of memory. That night, I don’t even remember going to the Y. For two weeks afterwards, I was in the hospital. I can’t thank you enough. I thank you. I’m here.”

To learn more and take a class, visit www.redcross.org/class