This article originally appeared on 12onyourside.com
A Richmond man who went into sudden cardiac arrest while riding his bike finally met the people who helped save his life, including a bystander who sprung into action.
John Jenks, 66, collapsed near the Nickel Bridge on May 30 after his heart stopped beating. Mattias Clause, who witnessed what happened, called 911 and performed CPR — despite never having been trained to do so — after a dispatcher walked him through the steps.
“I mean, you can’t just watch somebody die,” Clause said.
With no prior experience, Clause said he relied on a scene from a TV show to keep rhythm during compressions.
“I was just trying to do it right. The only real experience I had was that episode from The Office, and so that song, ‘Staying Alive,’” Clause said.
Seven minutes after Clause’s 911 call, Richmond Ambulance Authority crews arrived and continued CPR and defibrillation. Jenks’ heart started beating again 15 minutes after the initial call. He was then transported to Chippenham Hospital.
At RAA headquarters on Thursday, Clause and Jenks officially met for the first time.
“Hey brother. I’m taking you to dinner. I’m buying you food. Whatever the hell you need me to do,” Jenks told Clause at the reunion.
Clause, along with paramedic Cody Crumpler, EMT Marius Strahan, chase paramedic Brian Mann, and field operations supervisor Christy Pritt, were all awarded the CPR Save Pin at the ceremony.
“You know my kids wouldn’t have a father. My friends wouldn’t have a friend. So thanks a lot,” Jenks said.
Dr. Ashish Seithi of the American Heart Association also spoke at the event.
“You brought skill, calm, teamwork and persistence when every second mattered,” Seithi said.
According to the American Heart Association, nine out of 10 cardiac arrests that occur outside of a hospital are fatal.
Over and over, the message stressed at the ceremony was the importance of CPR certification.
“If you don’t have your CPR card, get it,” said Ryan Martinette, the chief operating officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.
Jenks said he is following his doctors’ advice and taking it easy, but has returned to biking. He also plans to build a new friendship with Clause.
“He doesn’t know it yet but he’s going on a beach trip with us,” Jenks joked.
Those interested in CPR certification can find classes through the American Heart Association’s website.
