A Beeville firefighter and his uncle saved a man with CPR at a Corpus Christi restaurant, showing the life-saving power of quick bystander action.<\/p>\n
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 A Beeville volunteer firefighter and his uncle gave a man a second chance at life after performing CPR in Corpus Christi on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Reynaldo and Bob Rincon never imagined a simple trip to the dentist would turn into a moment that could change someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
“I’m thinking if we had not gotten lost and come back, we might have been there early and my nephew might not have been there to save a life,” Reynaldo said.<\/p>\n
Part of that visit included a stop at their favorite restaurant \u2014 Kiko\u2019s. The two were waiting for their food when Reynaldo noticed something was wrong.<\/p>\n
“And something made me look up and I see that gentleman like in slow motion, going over against the wall,” Reynaldo said.<\/p>\n
That’s when he told his nephew, a Beeville firefighter. Bob instantly sprang into action.<\/p>\n
“I got up and walked over and there was a lady standing over him,” Bob said. “I think helping who I presume to be his granddaughter, who was also there. I asked if they needed assistance, and she asked me if I knew CPR. I said yes, and then I began CPR.”<\/p>\n
American Heart Association\u2013Corpus Christi Nation of Lifesavers Committee Co-Chair Dr. Osbert Blow said CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.<\/p>\n
“I will tell you it is significantly greater than if nothing is done or if it’s delayed. Your chances of surviving the hospital and being discharged are exponentially greater than if nothing is done,” Blow said.<\/p>\n
Blow said a person’s chance of survival decreases by about 10% for every minute that CPR and the use of an AED are delayed. Learning CPR can give someone a much better chance of not only making it to the hospital but also recovering. But he said only about 46% of bystanders actually step in to perform it.<\/p>\n
“A lot of people are afraid, and rightfully so. You know, am I really good enough? Will I do a good job? Will I make it worse? Am I getting in the way? Should I wait for the professionals to come and let them take over?” Blow said. “All of those are valid questions. The one important question is the last one, where the answer should be no.”<\/p>\n
In the right place at the right time, the Rincons are happy they were able to lend a hand to a stranger.<\/p>\n
“I definitely gave him a chance. Whether or not he survived, I hope he did. I really do. But he got a better opportunity than most,” Bob said.<\/p>\n