Story told by: Nick Gibson

Imagine being 16 years old and having to jump into action to save someone’s life.  

That’s what happened to Blythewood High School JROTC student, Champ Harris, while he was on vacation for his 16th birthday.  

“I heard a lot of screaming going on and I heard my mom telling me something had happened,” said Champ Harris. “I ran over to the scene and noticed a lot of people were around him. Then when I approached him, I noticed there was bleeding, there was a lot of bodily fluids.” 

A 13-year-old boy was having a seizure, so Champ had to think and act fast. Champ had only been certified in AED and CPR through the American Red Cross for less than a month. This was his first time administering lifesaving care. 

“I took a lot of notes from training; it was all in the back of my mind. I didn’t doubt anything I was doing,” said Champ, recalling how his training gave him the confidence and skills to act. “I was checking for a pulse, and I was checking out his breathing. I couldn’t really feel his pulse, it wasn’t very strong. He had agonal breathing, so that’s when I flipped him into a recovery position because I wanted to get his airway cleared up.” 

The boy eventually started breathing again and Champ asked those around him to call 911. Even when medical officials arrived, Champ continued to help during a very scary situation.  

“I kept him stabilized until paramedics arrived,” said Champ. “Once they arrived, I helped them place a C-Collar on him and get him on a backboard” 

The boy is now doing better thanks to Champ’s quick actions. Champ says he even called and checked on him to celebrate his 14th birthday. 

For Champ’s heroic act, he will be presented a prestigious award from the American Red Cross: our Lifesaving Award Certificate of Merit. This award is signed by the President of the United States and is presented to Red Cross-trained individuals or a team of individuals who saves or sustains a life without a duty to respond.    

“Just knowing that he’s okay, Champ checks on him regularly, it feels good, it really does,” said Diana Harris, Champ’s mother, who nominated her son for this prestigious award and witnessed his heroism. 

Champ, who is also a lifeguard at a local YMCA, doesn’t know what to expect once he receives the lifesaving award, especially with him only being a teenager.  

“Getting this award would be a beautiful thing. I just feel like it would be a big accomplishment, especially with the route I want to take in life,” said Champ.   

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO’S SAVED A LIFE? Nominate them for an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award or sign up to take a class today at redcross.org/take-a-class.