ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- First responders say cardiac arrests patients in St. Johns County have double the survival rate of the rest of the nation. At a St. Johns First Responders ceremony Friday evening, some of the patients who survived and the good samaritans who saved them were introduced.
"Something told me to stand next to him," said Dwight Elliot, one of the patients. Elliot followed Tyler Messenger during the ceremony, the same way he did during The Player Championship earlier this year.
"I was at the right place at the right time," said Elliot.
He was trying to get to the Luke Bryan concert when he had a heart attack. "I just collapsed and died," said Elliot.
"I just stepped in and did CPR until rescue got there," said Messenger.
Rescue crews say they were able to resuscitate Elliot because of Messenger's quick actions. "I am so happy for him. His family is so thankful. And I couldn't be anymore thankful for them," said Messenger.
Friday, they were one of six pairs in St. Johns County who share similar stories.
"CPR allows blood flow to go to the brain with oxygen. So you are really trying to save the brain," said St. Johns County EMS Director, Dr. George Woodward.
First Responders from St. Johns County said, they have CPR training to thank for their impressive survival rate.
"You never know you could be someplace and some one collapses. If you know CPR, you might save their life," said Dr. Woodward.
