The Albany International Airport marked World Restart a Heart Day by celebrating the life of a New York man who was saved by Southwest Airlines employees and Albany County Sheriff’s deputies.
John Bonhotal went into sudden cardiac arrest on Sept. 8 at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter.
After more than a month in recovery, he personally thanked the four people who came to his aid.
“I feel great and I’m happy to be alive,” said Bonhotal.
When asked about that day, Bonhotal said, “I was a little tired because it was early in the morning. I really was fine up until the moment I went down.”
It was at that moment that two Southwest Airlines employees and sheriff’s deputies sprang into action.
Their heroic actions were celebrated by the airport, their colleagues and the American Heart Association.
“I’m incredibly proud to recognize the efforts of my two standout Southwest Airlines employees Brady Tripp and Michelle Nestler,” said Jonah King, Southwest Airlines station manager.
“It is my honor to recognize Deputies Riley and Connelly for their heroic efforts,” said Chief Deputy Charles Higgins of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.
“Michelle was with me,” said Bonhotal. “Brady went to go grab the AED, and then the deputies came over. They were in already, and they did the CPR.”
Bonhotal is now a member of a rare group of cardiac arrest survivors. Each year, 350,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest, and only about 10% survive, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.
Immediate access to an AED and performing CPR can dramatically increase a person’s survival rate.
In the wake of his health scare, Bonhotal is paying it forward by becoming recertified in CPR.
“I was years ago, but it’s time to do it again,” said Bonhotal.
If you’re interested in becoming certified in CPR training, visit the American Heart Association to find a class near you.