Hamilton firefighter Aaron Nichols summed up the entire event perfectly. He informed Mayor Patrick Moeller that on Saturday morning, Nov. 7, McDowell was unresponsive after collapsing following a pick-up basketball game.
At that time Nichols stated, some of the staff at the community center immediately rushed to McDowell’s side, but instead of idly standing by, the staff immediately began CPR, which ultimately saved his life.
Keziah Hendricks, Jerry Bryant, Tanya Lowry and Robert Berry can now talk about how their CPR training put breath back into a dying man’s lungs and saved his life.
Bryant described what happened that day in front of City Council Wednesday as the group was honored for their heroics.
“When he collapsed, Keziah just flew in there and was helping him with CPR within five seconds,” he said. “We all went in there and helped. I went to the hospital with Dr. McDowell in the ambulance. The doctor told me that we saved his life. I’m glad that we received this training.”
The YMCA trains staff members at the community center in CPR since the center is under the Y’s umbrella. Part of that training involves the proper use of AEDs (automatic external defibrillator), which was used to save McDowell’s life.
YMCA CEO Woody Fitton was on hand for the group’s recognition ceremony, and he was proud of their efforts.
“I am extremely proud of these individuals’ efforts,” he said. “When we got involved with the center and evaluated the training and equipment needed, that involved getting AED machines and CPR training. These individuals should be commended for effectively using both to save a life.”
Lowry said that she has been at the community center for nearly 16 months and saving a life is something that she will never forget.
“We were doing exactly what we were trained to do by the YMCA,” she said. “I’m very thankful that Dr. McDowell survived and that he was able to celebrate the holidays with his family in Seattle.”
Hendricks, who was key in being a first responder, also was appreciative of the training.
“I was doing what I was taught to do,” she said. “It was a really good feeling to know he survived.”
Moeller saluted the group for their efforts, saying that they made a difference and had an impact not only on Dr. McDowell’s life, but his family’s as well.
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